Museum volunteers Rosemary Prior and Suzy Cotterell at the Henry Parkes exhibition holding the book signed by him in 1887.
It’s heritage month and a good time to brush up on your local knowledge of Parkes.
Research officers Rosemary Prior and Rose Jones at the Henry Parkes Museum have updated and revamped the exhibition on the famous figure the town has been named after.
The Henry Parkes – Father of the Federation exhibition is looking fantastic with new photos and new and updated information. It also includes a very precious item.
A great discovery was made when a book of speeches by Henry Parkes with an inscription and signature by him was found in the museum’s archives. The inscription reads: “Presented to the free library of Parkes with the compliments of Henry Parkes – July 30th 1887”
The five-time premier visited Parkes on four occasions, and he donated this book during his second visit when he stayed for a week.
His first visit was in August 1873, and it was after this visit that the Progress Committee petitioned to have the town’s name changed from Bushman’s to Parkes. The name change happened on 1st December 1873.
Henry Parkes migrated to NSW in 1839 and he started a business as an ivory and bone turner in Sydney, and later added toy making. At the end of 1850 he started a newspaper called The Empire as he was always interested in political matters. He also wrote poetry. He was elected to parliament in 1854 and became premier in 1878.
The exhibition has some personal items of Henry including some of his carvings, his wallet, and a Bible given to him by his sister Maria. There are also photos of his three wives, Clarinda who died in 1888, Eleanor who died in 1895 and Julia. Henry married Julia on 24th October 1895 and died six months later on 27th April 1896. Julia was left to look after his children from his previous marriage and died in 1919.