RESEARCHING AND INTERPRETING THE PAST

HISTORY


History is the craft of bringing the past to life.

By creating vivid portraits of what places were like, and explaining what they meant to their communities, we can better appreciate their heritage significance.

Historical research is also a powerful tool for assessment, planning and community engagement. For instance, creating a major transport interchange in Newcastle required the demolition of a former community shopping hub known as The Store. Taking this opportunity, Artefact worked with the University of Newcastle to build a website where former staff and customers from The Store shared their oral histories and photos online. The positive media and community impact left everybody smiling.

Our history projects are deeply grounded in extensive historical research. We ensure they are also accessible, informative and compelling.

At Artefact we believe shared stories of people and places are critical to understanding the events and processes that shaped society today. History tells the stories of archaeology. History provides the platform for future planning. It underpins heritage frameworks. It is the fabric of historic site interpretation.

Expertise

Artefact's histories are led by historian Dr Stephen Gapps who has over 20 years experience in a wide range of areas including maritime, industrial and local history.

Stephen is a leading authority on the Australian Frontier Wars, has worked extensively with First Nations communities and has published several award-winning histories.

Sources, stories and significance

Artefact offers history across many mediums and forms and for all sort of projects, including:

  • First Nations and other community histories
  • Local history, oral histories and archival document and image research
  • Built environment, architectural and site-based histories
  • Heritage and historical significance assessments
  • Community engagement projects
  • Thematic histories
  • Historical content for digital and online projects, including media


Download Capability Statement

Image - Last of the Georges River Tribe, NSW (workers on the Holt Sutherland Estate, 1880. Jim Brown, Joe Brown, Joey, Biddy Giles, Jimmy Lowndes). Image courtesy of the collections of the State Library of New South Wales. Out of copyright. Created before 1955.

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