Article and photographs by Sally Patfield.
Over the past few years, there has been a notable cultural rebirth in Maitland. There is now a vast array of festivals, performances and many other arts-related events occurring throughout each year that attract not only the locals, but also a large quantity of tourists.
Steeped in history, there are architectural marvels everywhere you look in and around the Maitland Heritage Mall. The court house remains from the late 1800s, whilst the post office and town hall, all in High Street, are other notable buildings that have remained intact over the years.
The Mall is now home to many of the area's main festivals and events, with the Maitland Busking Festival coming up in mid-September, Thursday Night Diners Markets in November, and the Ball in the Mall occurring annually at the start of each year.
Hunter Valley Steamfest, held at numerous locations throughout the city including the Mall, remains Australia's leading festival of steam and all things train-related. This event attracts over 80,000 visitors per year, and has been operating since the mid-1980s.
Maitland is also home to two important buildings in the care of the National Trust - Grossman House and Brough House. Located side by side in Church Street, Maitland, these houses are mirror images of each other. Grossman House has been fully restored by the National Trust to reflect the character of a Victorian middle-class family, and can be visited by the public on Sundays, as well as hired for private functions.
Located 10 minutes from the city centre is the suburb of Morpeth, which is also home to numerous events. Situated along the banks of the Hunter River, Morpeth is famous for its unique shops and cafes, which include an old-fashioned lolly shop, the Morpeth Art Studio, Morpeth Sourdough, and plenty of clothing, jewellery and gift shops. Located in the main street is also the Morpeth Museum, which is the main museum in the area.
The Museum will, however, combine with the recently-closed Maitland Regional Art Gallery to create a new 'cultural precinct' at the Gallery's present location in High Street. The Gallery will re-open in early 2009 with a Brett Whiteley retrospective, and the Gallery is currently holding numerous art-based activities for children off-site at other locations whilst the renovations are completed.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to see and do around Maitland. Whether you're a local, or a tourist to the area, make sure you get out there and get involved in the city's flourishing cultural resurgence.
