Collection Highlights

Stories From The Collection

Newcastle Museum is the home of stories for and about Newcastle, but the collection in bigger than what is currently on display in our exhibitions. You can learn more about our collection and the work of Newcastle Museum staff by browsing some of our stories from the collection below.

Hunter Nurses of the Great War

Explore the history of Hunter region nurses in the Great War. Discover the stories of the service of local women in WWI, featuring objects currently on display in Newcastle Museum.

Tuning the Organ

Explore the history of our 1892 manual pipe organ. Learn about its mysterious origins and journey to Merewether and how we care for and tune this important historic instrument.

Walter's Bugle

From Gallipoli to Union Street, explore the journey of Walter Barton's bugle. Listen to 'Revelle' and 'Last Post' played on the bugle that travelled with Walter across the battlefields and home to Newcastle.

Williams River Lodge Grand United Order of Oddfellows Banner

This silk banner tells the story of one of Australia’s foundational community organisations. Discover the symbolism and conservation journey of this ornate 19th-century hand-painted, silk banner, found under floorboards in 2009.

City of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional country of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples. We respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing relationship with the land, and recognise that they are the proud survivors of more than two hundred years of dispossession. City of Newcastle reiterates its commitment to addressing disadvantages and attaining justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this community.