Raymond Terrace & District Historical Society Inc.
Est. 1974
Linking Yesterday with Tomorrow
Sketchley Pioneer Cottage & Mueseum
The Historical Society is based at the Sketchley Cottage complex, on the Old Pacific Highway about 12 kilometres north of the Hexham Bridge, on the western side of the road adjacent Bettles Park, and the grand old fig trees adjacent to the Cottage, Pedestrian traffic lights & parking areas.
On Sunday 22nd July 2007 Sketchley Cottage and Museum was unlawfully entered by persons unknown. Many items were removed from both the Cottage and Museum, including Korean War Medals, six fob & pocket watches, jewellery and many other items. The final cost to the Society is still being calculated, but we expect that it will exceed $15,000. We are very thankful for the community support the Society has received in recent months and are particularly thankful for public donations and support at recent fundraising events.
We are happy to announce that Sketchley Cottage & Museum has reopened to the public. We are now updating our displays regularly, so please drop in and have a look at the new displays. Local residents note that entry is FREE if you bring visitors from outside the Raymond Terrace area!
2008-09 Christmas & New Year Closure. Sketchley Cottage will be closed on Sunday December 14th 2008, and reopen to the public on Sunday the 11th of Janurary 2009. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
School or Group Visits
If you would like to arrange a private tour of the cottage for a group of students or other interested parties, please contact us for more information and pricing.
Cottage History
Sketchley Cottage illustrated in the image above is a rare timber slab colonial farm house, built about 1850 on the Doribank Estate east of the Williams River, near the present New Line Road. From the late 1850's to 1970 it was the family home of William Sketchley (1810-1884) and his descendants.
Donated to this society in 1976, the house was moved by road to this site made available by Port Stephens Council in 1977. After much restoration work by members it was officially opened in August 1979. It is now furnished and presented in the style of an early settler's home.
In 1988 a separate Museum Building was designed and built in the Cottage Grounds as a Bicentennial project, and additions were made in 1994. Displayed are many diverse items from a collection of farm equipment, tools and working blacksmith's shop, to natural sea shells, old bottles, clothes, household & personal items, old radios & office machines. The process of displaying and presenting the collection is ongoing and periodically changing. A separate store room and kitchen also provide facilities for Society functions & visiting groups.
William Sketchley and his Family
A native of Leicestershire, William Sketchley became a weaver who could read & write, but in 1830 aged 19 was transported for seven years for stealing. In 1837 he married Mary Shutt (nee Cross) at Newcastle, and moved to Williams River. Four of their six children survived, but Mary died in 1849.
Sketchley became a landholder of 85 acres and married Jane McConckey from Ireland in 1851, and his house on his land at Doribank became their home for the rest of their lives. Originally a one roomed house it was enlarged and added to as the family grew. Ten of their children survived.
William died in 1884, and his second wife in 1902. Both are buried in Morpeth Cemetery. Descendants of this large family still reside in the district.
