Hill End Historic Site
Heritage Interpretation Plan
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)
Bathurst, NSW
Hill End is a historic gold mining town in the central west of NSW. GML developed an interpretation plan and an innovative multimedia display that’s at the heart of its revitalisation.
The interpretation plan reimagined how Hill End was presented to the public, addressing visitor experience and creating a refreshed sense of place inspired by the past. Tangible benefits include improved visitor orientation and engagement with history.
The exhibition ‘Alchemy: The Lustre of Hill End’ uses projections, panels and interactive iPads, inviting visitors to engage with the stories of the place. Close collaboration with designers and other creatives enabled GML to apply its expertise in public history, research, object selection and exhibition content creation.
GML worked with the local community to review existing collections and select movable objects for display. GML also chose historical images and developed content for exhibition panels, labels and multimedia. The exceptional quality of the exhibition was recognised in 2017 with a National Trust Heritage Award.
The adaptive re-use of a 1950s-fire station is a key part of the interpretive experience.
Partners
Trigger Design
Simon McArthur and Associates