MANILLA HERITAGE MUSEUM

06/06/2026

Our Jelbart running like clockwork at Manilla Vintage Machinery Rally

01/05/2026

This weekend Manilla shares its history as part of the Tamworth Regional Heritage Festival. Come and visit Manilla Heritage Museum located at 197 Manilla Street. This was the home of George Royce, the builder of the Namoi Bridge in 1884. The museum is full of historical memorabilia and archives relating to the history of Manilla. Within our complex is Yarramanbully School, a one teacher school which operated from 1935 and our Chinese Memorial Garden commemorates and recognises the early Chinese market gardeners. The Museum also includes the Manilla Rural Museum located in Alexander Lane, this houses an impressive display of farming machinery and implements of days gone by, including a 1917 Jelbart tractor and a 1914 Mogul tractor. The museum is open Saturday and Sunday 10am until 2pm with a gold coin donation.

18/04/2026

Our Museum will have our open weekend on Saturday 2nd May and Sunday 3rd May from 10am till 2pm, gold coin donation

The Tamworth Regional Heritage Festival is finally here! 👏

There’s a range of events to enjoy over the coming weeks, including guided heritage walks, museum exhibitions, historical displays, guest talks, and plenty of opportunities to learn something new about the history of our region. Whether you’re a long-time local or just curious about Tamworth’s past, there’s something to spark your interest!

Take your time, explore at your own pace, and enjoy a trip down memory lane.

See the full program here - www.tamworthregion.com.au/events-festivals/heritage-festival/

07/04/2026

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20/03/2026

Are you interested in giving back to the community? Have a love of history, art and community?

The Manilla Heritage Museum would love to have you on their team! Our small Museum is powered by passionate volunteers who help bring local stories to life, from greeting visitors, to caring for our amazing collection. Whether you're a history buff, a people person, or just curious to try something new, there's a place here for you. No experience needed, just enthusiasm and willingness to learn!
Joining us at the Museum means becoming part of a warm supportive group where every contribution truly matters. You'll gain new skills, meet great people and help preserve the stories that make our community special. If you're ready to make a difference (and have some fun along the way!) drop by the Museum Thursday's for a chat. We'd love to welcome you. 📚

28/02/2026

Not often we see the old canvas water bag anymore

The use of the water bag was one of the essential personal items of survival to a person walking out in the bush or working in the outback environment.

Even in an outside stationary work place the availability of cool clean water was a prerequisite.

These bags were used extensively in the Australian Outback for over a century, providing a practical solution for carrying water during arid conditions.

The canvas water bag allowed any wind or airflow to cool down the water, even on very hot days, to provide a refreshing and throat quenching supply of water.

These bags could be fastened onto the front of vehicles or hanging from shady tree branches thereby permitting air flow around the bag.

During the "wearing in" period the residual taste from the canvas was fairly strong, this became considerably less as time and a half moved on.

The Australian water bag is attributed to Sir Thomas Mitchell, who recognized the need for a better way to carry water.

He created canvas bags that retained water and kept it cool, which were later popularized by Queensland Pastoral Supplies Limited.

09/02/2026

Our volunteers are back into the swing of things and have lots of projects planned for 2026, so watch this space.

To start the week, who remembers poor man's mayonnaise made with sweetened condensed milk, vinegar and mustard. This was something I had as a kid around Christmas time made by my Nan. I realised once I was an adult that the recipe came off a mustard tin 😪 but here it is also from a tin of Nestlé Condensed Milk

18/12/2025

Wishing all our Members & Volunteers a joyous Merry Christmas and have a Safe and Healthy New Year.

The Information Outlet will be closed from 12pm Saturday 20th December until 9am Monday 5th January 2025.

The Manilla Historical Society volunteers are taking a well deserved break, so will not be available as of Friday 19th December until Monday 2nd February 2026.

Thank you to those who have supported us through donations or that have visited from afar. This helps us to continue not only keeping our front door open but preserving Manilla's history for future generations.

Merry Christmas 🎄🎄

05/10/2025

The latest addition to the Machinery Display of the Manilla Heritage Museum. A 9 tine Mitchell Seed Drill, which was just over 5 feet wide, donated by Norm Gardiner whose father farmed with it on the familly farm at the top of Hall’s Creek, Bendemeer.