Maitland Gaol has long been fascinating visitors intrigued by its connection to crime and suffering.
During its 150 years of operation, it saw some of the state’s worst offenders walk through its front gates.
Prisoners including Chow Hayes, Arthur “Neddy” Smith, John Travis and the infamous Ivan Milat called these walls home at one stage or another.
And, soon visitors will be able to explore a new section of the Maitland Gaol as works begin on two of its towers.
Work on a spiral staircase within tower one started earlier this week.
The removal of flagstones at the base of the stairs and the reopening of tower windows signal the start of preparations of a new tour program called ‘The Tower Experience.’
Maitland Gaol heritage interpretation officer Zoe Whiting said the experience would “give visitors a new perspective of the historic site”.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to attract more visitors to Maitland Gaol,” she said.
“We’re excited to be giving patrons the chance to tour the gantries for the first time and see the site from a perspective only seen by officers.
“Visitors can also enjoy views into East Maitland and beyond to Maitland Central.”
As part of the project, the council is retaining, sealing and lighting the existing timber spiral staircase in tower six offering visitors a peek at the Gaol’s original fixtures.
When the experience opens, visitors can step inside its tower, climb the stairs and walk the gantries, much like officers would have done when the gaol was still in operation.
Ms Whiting said new interpretations of the site would “explore the early reasons surveillance of this nature was introduced and the construction of the towers”.
“We want to identify changes in the way the towers were used and examine the impact of towers on staff and prisoners,” she said.
No disruptions to the operation of Maitland Gaol, including tours, are expected while work continues.
Bookings will be available once construction is complete, which is expected to be in August.
This visitor experience is in addition to more than $11.7 million worth of works which are part of the Maitland Gaol Development Plan.
This plan is supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, through the 2020-21 Experience Enhancement Fund.
Related: AUG 2022: DA approved for Maitland Gaol tower alterations
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