How to breathe life back into the Gaol

To help make this interpretive goal a robust, long-term solution, the following interpretive framework has been created.

1. Narrative: Emotional journey

There are many emotions to be experienced in Maitland Gaol. To ensure the experience is not overwhelming, each part of the Gaol has been curated to evoke specific emotions, relating to what that building or area was renowned for.

This journey is also structured around the principles of emotional storytelling, utilising a plot, setting, devices and first-hand accounts from key characters. It creates a visceral and memorable visitor experience of what it felt like to be at Maitland Gaol and departs from the traditional historical timeline structure of storytelling.

It should be noted that the emotional journey provides the guiding vision for the Gaol to develop interpretive products and experiences. The vision provides a ‘show, don’t tell’ approach. Each themed area of the Gaol will be curated to align with the corresponding emotion, creating a unique space; formal labels won’t be used. Products for each area of the Gaol can be offered as separate ticketed experiences.

Other locations for consideration

• Walkways—Hope (cont. from exercise yards)

• Tower Gantrys—Power

• Governor’s & Lt Governor’s Residence—Powerful

• Workshop building—Pride

• External visitors centre—Sadness (cont. from interior visitors centre)