The old Appin Inn became the temporary home of the Appin Historic Society after Walker Corporation announced a major makeover a few years ago.
It wasn’t so temporary though, with the society finally having to find a new home six years later.
And when a small ceremony was held this morning in the new temporary premises at the old cottage on 78 Appin Road, society members made it clear the company were also very helpful in their latest move. A Walker representative attended the ceremony.
Other key figures, said society president Frank Kaiser, were local MP Greg Warren, Wollondilly mayor Matt Gould and Cr Suzy Brandstater, all of whom attended this morning’s formalities inside the beautiful historic cottage, believed to have been built around 1840.
Mr Kaiser later told the South West Voice that council were developing plans for a community centre in Appin, which would include a permanent home for the historic society.
He said the society would be having an input into the design to ensure their space was fit for the purpose, which included a bigger display of historic items than the Appin Road cottage allowed.
“We have stored all of the items we haven’t got room for upstairs in this building,’’ Mr Kaiser said.
Mayor Gould said the new Appin community facility was definitely on the cards, but this was “three to five years’’ away.
“It’s money we got via Westinvest,’’ Cr Gould said.
Mr Warren, who presented the society with a framed certificate to mark the occasion, said he was glad to be able to help a community group doing important work like keeping history alive and accessible.
“Whether it’s Indigenous or European history preserving Appin’s unique history is commendable, and that is why I was happy to pick up the phone to help you find a new home after I was informed your time at Appin Inn was coming to an end,’’ Mr Warren said.
Every Saturday, the Appin Historic Society put a display of various items out the front of 78 Appin Road, with some items for sale.
So if you happen to drive along Appin Road, drop in and say hello to the members manning the display or pop inside to check out the collections on display.
