SMSA (Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts)The Bus Trip is now FULLY BOOKED! And Payment is due!
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Members’ Bus Trip 2016 — Where we are going
You’ve been asking for it and here it is, our Members’ Bus Tour for 2016.
Join us for a friendly day of discovery that will take you to places of historic and cultural interest in the Hunter Valley and North Coast areas.
Experience a guided tour of Tomago House, built by Richard and Maria Windeyer in the early 1840s, who were both involved in the SMSA from its early days. It’s family chapel and remnants of the nineteenth century pleasure gardens add to the timeless, tranquil and serenely gracious estate. Maria is said to still keep an eye on the estate’s affairs, which is now home to a heritage craft centre
You will have an opportunity to explore the historic river-port town of Morpeth, where you can also grab a bite to eat or shop.
We will also venture to the recently restored Alison Homestead. Dating to around 1825, the Homestead and surrounding buildings house wonderful displays of memorabilia, photos, furniture, toys and other household items, equipment, machinery and tools.
We will also enjoy a very special close encounter with a critter — not necessarily a scaly one — at The Australian Reptile Park while enjoying a bite to eat. Afterwards, you’ll have time to explore the various exhibits or take in a show.
We will also showcase several sister Schools of Arts buildings along the way, some of which are still active, some repurposed.
About Schools of Arts
When SMSA was started 183 years ago, our founders drew on the Schools of Arts movement which had originated in the early 19th century in Scotland, championing open access to education for the working classes.
By the 1850s and 1860s there were multiple Schools of Arts in the Sydney region that developed into centres of culture, education and recreation for their local areas. They provided libraries to their communities before the introduction of council libraries, and many of you might remember going to dances, plays or recitals at your local School of Arts.