It's been a long journey, but the Sir Edgeworth David Memorial Museum will finally open its doors to the public at its new home in Abermain this Sunday.
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The museum's new home couldn't be more fitting - it is located just 100 metres from the spot where its namesake discovered the Greta Coal Seam in 1886.
And what's more, Sir Edgeworth David himself contributed to the building fund for the school of arts, which opened in 1919.
The museum - which was located in the grounds of Kurri Kurri High School - began its search for a new home two years ago, when it was advised that the rapidly-growing school would require the building.
Cessnock councillor Darrin Gray stepped in to facilitate the move to the former Abermain School of Arts, a council-owned building.
In February 2020, the small but dedicated band of volunteers from the Coalfields Local History Association started packing up the museum - which houses more than 5000 historic items and 3000 binders, boxes and reference books.
Then COVID hit - and their operation was shut down for three months.
History association secretary Lexie Matthews said volunteers have put in countless hours get the new museum up and running and ready to open to the public this Sunday.
"It's been a long journey, and COVID locked us out for three months," she said.
"But since then we've been working eight-to-10 hours a day, at least three days a week, and sometimes seven days a week."
The date February 21 was chosen as it is 24 years to the day since the history association - then known as Coalfields Heritage Group - held its first meeting.
The library at the new museum is named in honour of the group's founder, Brian Andrews, who passed away in 2019.
Its museum room bears the name of former Cessnock mayor and state and federal member, Robert J Brown; the archives are named in honour of local identities Jim Comerford and Jack Delaney, and the mining history section carries the full name of Sir Tannant William Edgeworth David.
That room contains a number of items donated by Sir Edgeworth David's family, including a chair from his Hornsby home, which has been lovingly restored by Cessnock Men's Shed member Charlie Charters.
The chair has been in the museum's hands for more than a decade, and it is now a showpiece thanks to Mr Charters.
"It's a pleasure to work on lovely old furniture - there's no comparison," he said.
From mining memorabilia to historic household items to the three million of pages of local history, the museum is one of the leading history and heritage centres in Australia, with attracting visitors from all over the nation.
To Hunter Valley locals it has been something of a hidden treasure, and volunteers hope that its new location on the main road at Abermain will bring more locals visitors through the doors.
"It's an exciting new stage in the museum's life," Ms Matthews said.
"We are as proud of the museum today as the team who started back in 1997."
Cr Gray said he pushed for council to allow the museum to move into the Abermain building after fearing the collection could be divided up or moved out of the region.
"It is critical to keep the whole collection together in Cessnock... we couldn't allow it to move to Sydney," he said.
Cr Gray said the new location is not only more accessible, it creates an Edgeworth David 'precinct' in the centre of Abermain - with the spot where he struck coal located on the opposite side of Cessnock Road.
While the museum will open to the public from this Sunday, an officially opening will be held in August, in recognition of the 135th anniversary of the Greta Coal Seam.
The Sir Edgeworth David Memorial Museum is located on the corner of Cessnock Road and Orange Street, Abermain and will be open Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm, starting February 21.
Entry is $2 and is at the rear of the building (and via the ramp at the rear left when the back room - which is rented by NSW Health - is in use).
The museum is also open by appointment. Call 0409 452 555 or coalfieldshistory@gmail.com for more information or bookings.
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