Lithgow City Council Successful Application for a 2023-2025 Caring for State Heritage Grant

18 August, 2023

Lithgow City Council has been successful in its application for a Caring for State Heritage Grant from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment of $120,000 to undertake much needed maintenance and repair works at Eskbank House & Museum. 

Eskbank House, established in c.1841, was deeded in trust to Lithgow City Council in 1948, then developed as a period house Museum by Mr Eric Bracey and the Lithgow and District Historical Society. Eskbank House opened as a Museum in 1966 and came into the care and control of Lithgow City Council in 2003. The Museum is operated by Council with the support of volunteers as a heritage tourism attraction and local community space.

In 2018 Eskbank House Museum gained a listing on the State Heritage Register, a milestone that has made the Museum eligible for funding for its ongoing care. This grant represents a significant contribution to the cost of Council’s planned Eskbank House Museum Capital Works program.

Lithgow Mayor Maree Statham said, “This funding recognises the significance and importance of our State Heritage listed Museum. Caring for heritage, benefits the community by promoting tourism. The sites are also local community event spaces. Council is matching the grant, which means there will be $240,000 avaiable for these works.”

The Eskbank House Museum Capital Works project will prioritise roofing replacement and repairs to a number of buildings, improved drainage, replacement of a timber balustrade to the loft above the stables, repair of timber doors, an upgrade of non-compliant toilets, improved accessibility, and protection of sandstone flagging.