THE Moree Plains Museum created its own piece of history earlier this month when a group of students from Moree Christian School visited.

Moree and District Historical Society researchers hosted the Year 3/4 students and teacher, Emily Cobb, for an engaging morning, learning about the Moree district’s deep history – the museum’s first school excursion since opening earlier this year.

Mrs Cobb said  the excursion was part of the students’ study of history in the unit of work, Moree: Change Over Time.

Students learned about Major Thomas Mitchell’s search for the mysterious inland sea, Mary Brand’s early shop and inn, pioneering farming in the district and the tragedy of the Kirkby children, who drowned in the Mehi River, near what is now Kirkby Park.

“Everyone learned about early European settlers’ life and the development of the town as we know it,” Mrs Cobb said.

“Our town has such a fascinating history and it is important we learn about it – the good as well as the bad –  so we can understand history shapes our past and helps us learn from mistakes so we can work together for our future.

“The Moree Plains Museum is an amazing collection of local history. Students were fascinated by the sports room and were all trying to guess what the different mystery objects on display were.

“We are so grateful to the historical society for the opportunity to visit and see historical sources first-hand,” Mrs Cobb said.

The excursion included a stroll down Balo Street to view the art-deco-style buildings constructed in 1929 after the great fire of 1928.

Earlier, students learned from Moree Library historian, Adam Mitchell, about the Gamilaroi people, the Freedom Rides in Moree in 1967, early photos of the region and how facilities like Moree Plains Museum and Moree Library teach about the past.

Society researcher Jeni Bruno said the children viewed and interacted with numerous historical items.

“The kids gained hands-on experience of what life might have been like in 1852 when Mary and James Brand arrived in Moree,” Mrs Bruno said.

“They really enjoyed the visit and we encourage more schools and groups to arrange visits and explore the museum’s ever-changing displays.”

Moree Plains Museum is open Monday, Tuesday and Saturday mornings between 9.30am and 12.30pm.