Heritage Walk

Fred Hardie’s circa 1892 photography of the
newly completed Newcastle Courthouse.
Source: SLNSW PXD 754

Collection of Archival Plaques

See our collection of historic plaques salvaged from the former Courthouse building commemorating the significant events that took place involving the Newcastle Courthouse and showing the evidence of its former uses. Click to this link to see the full collection of the moveable items that were throughout the former Courthouse building and their current repositories.

Newcastle Courthouse Historical Development

Discover the story of the Courthouses in Newcastle from the opening of the first courthouse in 1821 during the city's role as a penal settlement, to the opening of the current Newcastle Courthouse on Hunter Street in 2015. The historical timeline for the former Newcastle Courthouse can be found in the L1 Atrium next to the Church Street entrance or click below for more information.

Newcastle Historical Development

Explore the history of the City of Newcastle through key events and features from early beginnings as a significant coastal place for the Awabakal people to a burgeoning city of industry and trade. The historical timeline for the city of Newcastle can be found in Corridor 4 behind the main lecture hall or click below for more information.

Historic Room Names

To interpret and reflect the valued history of Newcastle and of the former Newcastle Courthouse, rooms within the Nihon University campus have been selected to acknowledge important people and places in the history of both the former Courthouse and the city of Newcastle. Click below to explore the story behind the name.