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Marsden
Memorial Rural History Research Centre Inc
Who are we?
We are a dedicated group of people involved in researching and recording our local
rural history. This includes the restoration of significant old shearing sheds and research into the evolution of the Australian
Merino. The impact, both negative and positive, of events such as mining, railways, closer settlement and share farming on
the early rural industry is also an important part of our agenda.
This is a massive project and one that we can't
do on our own. Oral history, so important in understanding history through the eyes of the common man, disappears if not recorded
in time. It is for this reason that we are seeking help from other groups, companies and individuals, to ensure continuation
of this long term project before too much history is lost.
 Why the Name?
The Rev.
Samuel Marsden was one of our most successful early sheep breeders and the blood of the original Marsden flock is in a large
proportion of our Australian merino flock today.
Marsden is remembered for many things, but seldom as a rural pioneer.
Following the first crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth in 1813 and the subsequent forging
of a road by Cox, Marsden joined the first influx of stock across the mountains from the Sydney basin. With the establishment
of the settlement at Bathurst under the military command of William Lawson, Marsden moved his sheep to Molong under the supervision
of his son-in-law, John Betts.
This started his connection with the Orange/Molong area and the Merino breeding
history books.
We hope that, by creating this memorial to a pioneer merino breeder, his rural input to Australian
History will be better recognised.
 Woolshed preservation project
Our
committee arranges, with the owner, the opening to the public of one of our significant historic woolsheds, in this way raising
funds for both woolshed preservation and the collection of rural history.
Archive
and library project
We have establishment of archive and library facilities
for the use of rural historians and researchers. Part of this will be establishing links with other heritage and history organisations
to enable us to share resources.
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| Committee members Kevin Isbester and Janet Lee |
Committee of Management
The Marsden Group is fortunate
in having a committee this is strong in both rural and technical skills. This provides a professional attitude to achieving
our goals of researching and publishing original rural history and better understanding our rural beginnings.
Membership
We are constantly on the lookout for like minded people
who would be willing to provide some of their time to continue the work of the Marsden Rural History Research Centre. If you
are able to give up a couple of hours a month, we would love you to contact us.
Orange
National Field Days
Our stand at the National Field Days is situated in the
Field Day Wool Shed in the south western corner of the grounds.
Fleece donations
One excellent form of donation to our organisation is by giving a fleece or fleeces, the sale of
which will help our ongoing History Research. To donate contact Russell Moor on 6361 4745.
 
Aims of the Marsden History Centre
Our traditional Australian Rural Industry is at a turning point. Technology
is changing the way we work and therefore changing our methods.
Our aims are:
- To unravel our early rural history and publish comprehensive accounts of our rural beginnings.
- To preserve what is left of our traditional way of life and farming methods including livestock and farming practices.
- To document personalities involved in our pastoral history from all walks of life.
Method:
- To help owners to repair and preserve significant shearing
sheds and other old farm infrastructure.
- To assist professional and amateur researchers to document and catalogue
our rural history.
- To assist authors to publish original rural history research.
- To interview and
record living farmers in order to preserve our own living history.
Where we are:
Our Research Centre is located
in the main building at Orange Railway Station. Entry is from the platform, where the door is clearly marked.
Contact us:President: Kevin Isbester Vice president:
Russell Moor Vice president: Ron Gander Treasurer: Byron Stevens Marketing/public relations: Ron Gander PO Box 8279, Orange, NSW 2800 02 6360 2123 marsden.history.centre@live.com.au
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