About Walls that Talk
Walls that Talk is a place activation initiative that displays images on the front wall of Maitland Library for the whole community to enjoy and experience.​​​​​​
Current Exhibition
Life Underground
In 2020, ahead of construction on Maitland City Council’s new administrative building, an archaeological excavation was carried out at the corner of High and Devonshire Streets. Historical records had long suggested this site was once home to early colonial buildings, inns, houses and a mill, dating back to the beginnings of European settlement along the Hunter River.
As layers of concrete and soil were carefully removed, the ground began to give up its secrets. Fragments of everyday life emerged, ceramics, bottles, building materials and personal items, offering rare and tangible connections to the people who lived, worked, and walked this stretch of land over 150 years ago.
These unearthed objects reveal a vibrant picture of High Street as it evolved into a bustling civic and commercial centre. They speak to a community in the making, cosmopolitan, resilient, and deeply connected to place. This exhibition invites you to explore the lives hidden just beneath the surface and reflect on how the past continues to shape Maitland’s present.
Previous Exhibition
View past exhibition images and information at the Maitland Libraries website.