Unlock Camden 2024

Each year we celebrate Camden’s historic past as well as unlock stories and images and promote the historic locations and buildings in the Camden area. This year the award-winning event Unlock Camden was held on Saturday 28 September from 10am-3pm across various historic locations in Camden, NSW.

Images from Unlock Camden, 2023

Program

LOCATION	WHATS ON	TIME
St Johns Church	Open to Public
	Architectural Drawing Workshop Book here	10-11:30am 12-1:30pm 2-3:30pm
	Capturing Camden's Vista Art Workshop Book here	10-11:30am 12-1:30pm 2-3:30pm
Camden Library	Display and engagement with Camden Area Family History Society, Author Kelly Cordina, and Camden Museum	10am -3pm
	Display by Macarthur Singers, Snapology, Shanhe Education and Camden Council Stakeholder Engagement	10am -3pm
	Cakes and Handmade Products by Camden Women Association	10am-3pm
	Artist demonstration by Rizwana Ahmad	10am-3pm
	Cow interactive Storytime A special storytime on The Cowpastures	10am - 10.45am
	Performance by April Solitar	10am-12:30pm
	Unlock Camden Guided Walking Tour-Ian Willis Book here	11am
	Performance by Sienna Fulton	12:30-3pm
	Unlock Camden Guided Walking Tour-Laura Jane Book here	1pm
Camden Museum	Display of Camden Museum's collection of historic objects, photographs and archives	10am - 3pm
Alan Baker Art Gallery	Garden Games & chalk art children's activity Cakes and Scones Art Displays Historic Garment display BBQ The Macarthur Grind Coffee van Vintage Cut outs	10am - 3pm
	Local Music by Phyllis Foster	10am-12:30pm
	Local Music by Stormer Music	1:30pm-3pm
Camden Town Farm	Market Stalls Artist Demonstrations Council Community Displays Council Displays	10am-3pm
	Local Musicians performance
Camden Public School	Historic Images exhibition on Fenceline celebrating 175 years of Camden Public School
Crookston House	Private Property Open to the Public Tours Music Art Coffee Van	10am-3pm
Old Bank NAB building	Camden 2570 Markets Tours	10am-3pm
John Street & Town Farm	Displays of Vintage Cars, Fire Trucks and Military vehicles.	10am-3pm
John, Argyle and Murray Street	Camden Kerbside Exhibition Camden Heritage
Fly Over	Flying demonstration of the Boeing Stearman, which was used to train military pilots before and after WWII.	12.30pm 2pm
Camden Town Farm	Plant giveaway	10am - 3pm

Camden Museum

Situated in the centre of Camden’s historic precinct, Camden Museum features displays highlighting the local Aboriginal community, the Macarthur family, agricultural industries, the Nepean River and its place in the community and women’s history.

The collection is features photography, archives and over historical 4000 objects, most of which have been donated by local residents.

Camden Museum was established in the former School of Arts and Municipal Council building in 1970 and is operated by the Camden Historical Society. Camden Museum will be open all day for Unlock Camden! Entry to the Museum is free, but donations are welcome.

Find out more information and organise your visit here.

Camden Area Family History Society Inc.

Camden Area Family History Society Inc. was established in 1996 as a self-funded non-profit organisation for the benefit of all who are interested in researching their family history within the Camden Area, within Australia and overseas. The Society’s aim is to promote the local family history and heritage of Camden and its residents. Admission to the Research Room is free and provides an ideal start for beginners in family history research, as well as experienced researchers.

Find out more information and organise your visit here.

Virtual Historic Tour

Explore the amazing heritage buildings and locations of Camden through this Virtual Historic Tour, developed for Unlock Camden 2021, which was held online due to public health orders.

#mycamdenstory

Council’s Heritage Advisory Committee is running a social media campaign throughout History Week each year, asking residents to uncover their untold stories behind Camden’s rich and diverse history.

Information gathered will help to map Camden’s oral history as part of a knowledge-sharing and story-telling program that have shaped the identity of the area.

Find out how you can submit your own story.

Read some of our existing stories:

The stories presented are those of the authors and do not represent the opinion or policies of Camden Council, which makes no representations or warranties of any kind about the completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of the stories.

Camden Images Past and Present

Camden Images Past and Present is a unique collection of significant historic and recent images from the Camden area including people, places, events, natural and built environment. The images are held by the Camden Historical Society and Camden Council Library Service and are selected and provided jointly. There are currently over 3,000 images with more being added each year.

View Camden Images Website

History of Western Sydney Virtual Tour App

The rich colonial history of Western Sydney is acknowledged and celebrated in a new smartphone app developed by Camden, Penrith, Hawkesbury and Liverpool Councils.

The free Colonial Heritage of Western Sydney app explores the fascinating history of these combined local government areas which includes the largest group of early Colonial European heritage assets in Australia.

The app details many historical buildings, farmhouses, churches, cemeteries, roads and bridges in the region. Users can discover these for themselves on the guided and themed driving and walking tours offered in the app.

The free Heritage of Western Sydney app is available to iTunes, Android or GooglePlay users and can be downloaded now.

Proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Camden Council through the Local Government Heritage Grant.