Fowarded from Admin .... ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michelle NICHOLS" <michelle.nichols@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au> Subject: Convict 'treasures' - Old Windsor Hospital - open day 4/4/2003 Unexpected convict 'treasures' in the form of convict building footings and landscape features have been uncovered this week by a team of archaeologists employed by Hawkesbury City Council to study the grounds of the former Hawkesbury Hospital building in Macquarie Street, Windsor. Due to the nature of the material being uncovered and the extended time that will now be taken to complete work on the site, a special Open Day to view the dig in progress will be held this Friday 4 April from 9am to 2pm. Prior to its use as a hospital, the former Hawkesbury Hospital building which has been recently extensively restored by the Council, was used as a convict barracks. Wendy Thorp, leader of the archeaological team from Cultural Sources Management who are working on the site said that whilst they had expected to uncover footings from the 'privy' or toilet facilities from the barracks, some other brick footings, paths and landscape features have been unearthed. "This provides a very special and unexpected start to the exciting programme of activities which is already in place to celebrate Heritage Week next week," said Council spokesperson, Ms Alannah Norman. "The Council will also be inviting local students to come along to the Open Day to give them a rare opportunity to see archeaology in action and to help with studies on early settlement in the area," said Ms Norman. Access to the site for the open day will be via the Macquarie Street pedestrian access. At the site Open Day, visitors will be able to view the dig in progress (weather permitting) from the first floor of the old hospital building. Breifing sessions by the archeaologists will also be held at set times whilst the site is open. For more details and to book a place for the talks, contact Esther Anderson at Hawkesbury City Council on 02 4560 4444. Bookings through Esther Anderson on 4560 4430. Click on to this link below: http://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/council/2003/apr/convict_heritage.htm to see some information and photographs taken of the diggings. Let your friends know its on the web for them to have a look at.