The following memories and stories about the Maitland Hospital emerged from background research, and from being shared by artists, staff, volunteers, patients and community members.
Fragments of memory.
Peter Poulet’s abstract responses to memories shared by Maitland residents. His paintings can be seen in the front window of the Maitland Regional Art Gallery during the exhibition A Conspicuous Object.
An archaeology of care.
Anita Johnson uses found objects to create artworks that talk to the care needed and offered in the hospital. Her installation was part of the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Stitched together.
Susan O’Doherty’s textile sculptures stitch together the stories of women working at The Maitland Hospital over time. Her sculptures are in the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Hospital blue.
Portraits of medical and surgical instruments from the Maitland Hospital Collection created by artist Linda Greedy for the exhibition A Conspicuous Object at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Give … a cheerful atmosphere.
Some of the artworks that currently add colour and imagery to the hospital.
One of our best feelings … charity.
Women as volunteers at and for The Maitland Hospital, past and present.
Take what you want.
Steve Bone describes items from the Maitland Hospital in the safekeeping of the Maitland and District Historical Society.
Maternity Nurse.
Introducing Susan O’Doherty’s soft sculpture representing motherhood and midwives at The Maitland Hospital.
A place for health.
Artworks in the hospital that connect to country and to the Wonnarua songlines that pass across and around the hospital site.
For seasons, for days and years…
Artist G.W. Bot shares thoughts about the work she is creating for the exhibition at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
A gold key.
A key crafted by local jeweller John Hart to commemorate the opening of the 1905 building on the Maitland Hospital site.
A kind of historical museum.
Reflections on past attempts to establish a hospital museum and a sample of items from the Maitland Hospital Collection.
On or off duty.
A noticeboard that links to stories about surgical dressers/wardsmen who, collectively, worked at The Maitland Hospital for over 130 years.
Clipping the press.
Press clipping scrapbooks in The Maitland Hospital Collection that provide easy to browse accounts of the hospital at different times.
A drunk resident apothecary.
The Maitland Hospital Minute Book for 1859 to 1872 with its cursive handwriting and details about finances, staff and other developments at the hospital.
A stolen stone and an empty beer bottle.
The bizarre fate of the 1846 foundation stone of The Maitland Hospital.