When you walk into the Lawrence Museum, you step back in time and are greeted with a spectacular glimpse into the past lives of Clarence Valley families, and the unique history of the region they helped to shape for future generations.

It is home to a beautiful room filled with 1930’s memorabilia, the Lawrence Jockey Club Cup of 1884, won by a mare named Nora, the first tractor operated in Lawrence by Charlie Child, who hired it out at a fee of one pound per acre, and an astonishing range of furniture, photographs and personal mementos which have been generously donated by local families.

Each piece, carefully and lovingly displayed, tells a story. And with plans to reopen the Lawrence Museum on July 31, those stories will once again be able to be shared with the public.

Forced to close in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Vice President Roz Jones is eagerly looking forward to reopening the doors of the museum, located in the former 2NR Broadcasting Station building, and showing visitors the newest additions to the already impressive collection.

Taking advantage of the forced closure, Ms Jones said the Lawrence Museum has undergone an interior restoration period, which has allowed the dedicated group of 20 active volunteers time to prepare the local attraction for its grand reopening next month.

New displays focusing on early life in Lawrence, agriculture, and local social and cultural life in the area have been painstakingly established, and a communications display featuring the original broadcast equipment from the radio station has also been set up.

The welcome addition of a new building, which provides an extra 250m2 of floor space and display rooms, and a lift to provide better access, is sure to be well received by the first visitors who walk through the front gate.

Built with the support of the local community via donations, fundraising efforts and NSW Government Grants, and featuring floorboards kindly donated by NSW Forestry, the new building houses some of the most priceless pieces in the museum’s collection, and Ms Jones is confident visitors will love walking through and observing the history which proudly sits on display.  

“Everyone here at the museum has been working exceptionally hard so we can open to the public once again,” Ms Jones said.

“The Lawrence Museum is n important pat of the local area because it holds so much history, and that history needs to be preserved.

“We’re all excited to open up again and show everyone what is new.

“Hopefully, all things going well, July 31 is the day we reopen.”

• The Lawrence Museum is also encouraging additional volunteers to join their dedicated team, especially as museum guides. Anyone who has an interest in history or a desire to help their local community is encouraged to contact Ms Jones on 0429 477 102. Training will be provided and no previous experience is required.
• Keep a lookout in upcoming editions of the Clarence Valley Independent for further updates regarding the reopening of the Lawrence Museum.