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The Menangle area has one of the highest concentrations of historically significant sites in rural Australia dating back as far as the first fleet. Later it was an integral part of Australia’s groundbreaking first pastoral company, the Macarthur’s Camden Park Estate. The Menangle village was initially the village for the estate workers and was also the centre for some of its businesses and surprisingly is essentially unchanged today. Its English village layout of houses, churches, school, shop and community hall, all within walking distance of each other, are unique. Quote from a local historian: “Today Menangle village’s St James and St Patrick’s churches, the old store, creamery and Rotolactor as well as Menangle station, railway bridge and viaduct are listed on the local, state and/or national heritage registers. Add Menangle House, Glen lee and the 19^th century Macarthur mansions of Camden Park and Gilbulla to this list and Menangle must lay claim to one of the highest concentrations of historically significant sites in rural Australia”

Today, the area is still one of the most significant areas in Australian agricultural with its continuing agricultural research. The Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI), currently being expanded, is located on the southern side of the original Camden Park Estate, close to Menangle and is a major research facility of national and international importance.

#1 | Written by Dorothy Skewes nee Cummins about 4 years ago.

My grandfather Richard Earnest Hawkey was the village blacksmith in Menangle for many years, His home and place of work was in Picton Road and the corner of Picton road, and Station street, opposite the Menangle general store, run by the Curry boys. My mum Richards only daughter the oldest in the family; (Dorothy May) was born in 1900, she had 2 brothers. Harry and Eric, Eric who went on to become the Bishop of Carpenteria.
Richard and Harry were church wardernas.
After the death of my father Jack Cummins, my mother took over being the post mistress, and remained in that position for 45 years.
In my opinion both the village blacksmith, and postmistress may have been pillars of society!
#2 | Written by Peter Phelan about 9 years ago.

My g’g’g’father was the overseer on Morton Park Farm sometime during the Terry’s tenure.Can anyone tell me exactly where the homestead is,I know the name of the home was changed long ago,somewhere around Spaniard’s Hill(from where the sign disappeared many years ago,never replaced).I’d like to get a photo of it or any of the original buildings that have survived.
#3 | Written by John Starr about 10 years ago.

See my DVD “The Starr and Ryder families of Menangle” for general information on Menangle. Copies are in the Camden Library and the State Library of New South Wales.
John Starr.
#4 | Written by admin about 11 years ago.

Camden Historical Society would be a good place to start. http://www.camdenhistory.org.au
#5 | Written by Helen Hawkins about 11 years ago.

I have ancestors who were living in the area in the 1860’s. How can I find any records of employment on the Maccarthy property.
#6 | Written by martin Jeavons about 12 years ago.

I see that Longwall mining was allowed to go ahead. I see that the creeks are cracking, and lossing water. The Worst Greenhouse gas, Methane bubbling up in the river. Why are not BHP, made to mine with props. I will admit some subsidence in the Uk, in odd place, due to early minning, and shafts, not filled in , properly, in 19th and early 20th century; Most UK, mining done with props etc.
You have the most histrocial part of Australia, and you are allowing the area to be damaged beyond repair. It seems as that money talks, Chinise money, that is where your coal going. Just because it is not Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is allowed, can you imagine the out cry, if Longwall Mining, was going to cause damage..
I hope before too long to visit your area.
#7 | Written by Kerri about 12 years ago.

Was one of the houses pulled down to build the general store in 1904 the old Ryan house originally belonging to Patrick Mulry who allegedly had the best maize farm in the district? Can anyone tell me please?
#8 | Written by Ron Irish about 12 years ago.

I would like to contact Pam Berry who lived at The Pines Menagle Park in the 1960’s. Can anyone point me to her or her to me? Thanks in anticipation
Ron Irish 0418 269 613
#9 | Written by Francene Thompson about 13 years ago.

how could i find imformation on my ancestor who was born in camden menangle douglas park, born 1848 name henry d`daunton married margaret marsden 21st nov 1883 Charters Towers Qld, seeking imformation on his birth for his parents, father was supposed to be a medical doctor, name Dr henry d`daunton married a Margaret Douglas
#10 | Written by James Walgers about 13 years ago.

is there information on this website i can find about camden? <3
#11 | Written by Mitchell Taylor about 13 years ago.

how did john macarthur acquire the land about cmaden?
#12 | Written by Jon about 13 years ago.

Hi,
We are hoping to buy in menangle but are concerned about mining. Does any one know where I may be able to find out where they are or are planning to mine?
thanks
#13 | Written by bella about 13 years ago.

they should not pull down that billding
#14 | Written by van drews about 14 years ago.

Will someone please nominate Menangle Village and surrounds for State Heritage Listing?
#15 | Written by Laura Egan-Burt about 14 years ago.

http://www.wollondillyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/panel-says-no-land-plan-has-been-received/2104527.aspx
#16 | Written by Caroline Graham about 14 years ago.

It is shocking that so much of Menangle village might be undermined, if BHP Billiton’s plans for longwall mining are approved. Heritage buildings like St James Church, the Menangle Store and several cottages will be cracked and damaged, as they were not built to withstand subsidence impacts, such as surface drops of 2 metres. 117 houses in Tahmoor have been damaged recently by mining, some have had to be demolished – and the same pattern applied in Appin a few years back.

Historic buildings are even more vulnerable than modern ones, and of course irreplacable.
#17 | Written by Laura Burt about 14 years ago.

Hi, I came across an interesting-looking map. It could provide some historic precedence? I intend to do some research at the State Library as soon as I am on my feet again. 🙂

A Blue Mountains National Park with “Primitive Areas” [cartographic material] / originator Myles J. Dunphy ; proposed by the National Parks & Primitive Areas Council.

Relief shown by hachures.
Covers area from Mount Boonbourwa to Bullio, from Oberon to Menangle.
Shows boundaries of divisions, railway lines, roads, state forests, forest reserves, other areas worthy of protection, rivers, creeks and towns.
Mitchell Library copy at M2 812.17/ 1934/ 5: published in The Katoomba Daily, 24 August 1934, Blue Mountains National Park Special Supplement
Part of the Myles J. Dunphy collection.

http://library.sl.nsw.gov.au/search~S2?/XMenangle&searchscope=2&SORT=D/XMenangle&searchscope=2&SORT=D&SUBKEY=Menangle/51%2C70%2C70%2CE/frameset&FF=XMenangle&searchscope=2&SORT=D&53%2C53%2C
#18 | Written by Laura Burt about 14 years ago.

Hi, I was just looking at the State Library of NSW collections and I found this link, could be worth mentioning for the School. http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=447178
#19 | Written by Maurice B about 14 years ago.

Laura there is one at the Corner of Carrols and Finns. Call me for the contact. Regards
Maurice.
#20 | Written by Laura Burt about 14 years ago.

I would like to start a section on the beehive wells. We have one in our backyard. Could other people contribute to this history?

http://www.fadingvictoria.com/image/20071214XF9N9739/

http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/12847901.jpg
#21 | Written by James McFarlane about 14 years ago.

Well done to you all on getting this site up and running. I enjoyed the reading. Well done Maurice and your team! Keep up the great work.

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