GRENFELL
Grenfell is a quite large and dynamic
heritage town. There is quite a lot going for this community, and the
traveller is urged to stay a day or two at this great town. Grenfell
is a cross roads town centred between Cowra, Young and Forbes, but can
be easily missed, particularly on a north south journey.
Grenfell is a gold mining town first known as Emu
Creek and renamed in honour of John Grenfell, Gold Commissioner at
Forbes, who had been killed in 1866 when bushrangers attacked a
stagecoach on which he was travelling. Weddin Post Office
opened on 3 December 1866 and was renamed Grenfell on 24
December the same year. By 1870-71 it was producing more gold than any
other town in NSW. However by the mid-1870s gold was in decline. Wheat
was first grown in the district in 1871. The rail reached Grenfell in
1901. Unlike most Australian country towns Grenfell has a main street
which bends.
The poet and story writer Henry Lawson was born on the
nearby gold fields. On the Queen's Birthday weekend in June every
year, the town hosts the Henry Lawson Festival of Arts,
which attracts thousands of visitors. The festival is a celebration of
local and national talent, with art, poetry and writing competitions
drawing entries from all over Australia. It was first held in 1958.
The
June weekend was chosen because it is close to Lawson's birthday.
     
Many of the buildings at Grenfell are historic and
worthy of heritage acknowledgement.
The Grenfell Rail Museum is a replica of the Inverell Railway Station;
also now a museum.  
The Congregational Churches in particular are really
great design and buildings. 
The Anglican
and Catholic 
particularly so.
There are a number of old and traditional hotels in
Grenfell. Some really great pubs here.    _small.JPG)  
The Grenfell War Memorial has great presence on entry
to the town from the south.  
The Grenfell Museum is a great spot to visit.
All of the town and Henry Lawson history on display.
Be sure to visit Grenfell and also allow plenty of
time.
Heritage diary_small.JPG) _small.JPG)
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