A precious slice of history which is one of the star exhibits at the Oberon Museum is being saved from the ravages of time.
NSW Government funding of $15,000 is allowing the restoration of the 1887 Museum Cottage.
The cottage had succumbed to the inclement weather that Oberon is well known for and fallen into a state of disrepair with a leaking roof and deteriorating timber cladding.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the renovation rescue is well underway and that the cottage now has a new tin roof, cladding repaired or replaced and was now being given a lick of paint.
Mr Toole recently met with Col Roberts from the Oberon Museum to see first-hand how the work on the1887 Museum Cottage is progressing.
Mr Roberts said the project has been complex because of the fragile nature of the historic building.
“Our aim is was make the cottage to a structurally sound state, make it weather proof, safe and accessible,” he said.
“The main goal was to stop the rain getting into the building and that’s now been achieved.
“A coat of primer is going on and the finish coat will be matched to the original heritage colours which the building was painted.”
The 1885 Museum Cottage is an old weatherboard cottage that was built around 1887 before being transported to the museum for safe keeping in 1994 when the Albion Street bypass was being constructed.
According to records, the cottage was built by Syd Babcock for his mother.
It was never connected to power or water and is so small it would probably fit into the lounge area of some modern homes!
There are many items of interest in this cottage but one is the hospital bed used by the midwife, Nurse Fox, to deliver babies.