Research Project
Researchers: Associate Professor Janis Wilton , Janis Wilton
Brief description
This project aimed to revive interest in the Maitland Jewish Cemetery (established in the 1840s), in the history of the Jewish community in Maitland and to document, interpret and present that history in different ways to different audiences.
Full description
A joint project with Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) and funded by the NSW Migration Heritage Centre, historian Janis Wilton worked with community organizations, descendants of those buried in the cemetery, and a variety of historical sources to research, document and interpret the cemetery and the histories it could reveal. The Heritage Futures Research Online Database was used as the means to collect, collate and share the research data.
Building on this, artist Hanna Kay was commissioned to create an exhibition of paintings that toured for four years; MRAG Education Officer Lauren Van Katwyk developed an education resource package; designer David Guy created an in situ installation when the book and exhibition were presented in Maitland; Leslie Wand produced a video; and Janis Wilton wrote Maitland Jewish Cemetery: A Monument to Dreams and Deeds (Maitland, 2010) and has also written articles and presented papers on the project.
Maitland City Council subsequently and successfully sought funding through a NSW Heritage Grant to complete a Conservation Management Plan for the Cemetery. In 2013, the cemetery was nominated for state heritage listing.
The project was the winner of the National Trust Heritage Awards: 2011 Category I: Interpretation and Presentation 1: Corporate/Government.
Data time period: 1840-01-01 to 2013-01-01
- Local : www.une.edu.au:hfrc:ands:mjca01