Woodford Academy is the oldest building on the Blue Mountains with the property dating back to the 1830s. These sandstone buildings at various times have been a wayside inn for travellers including those seeking their fortunes in the goldfields, a wealthy businessman’s residence, a school for “young gentlemen”, a day school for local children, guest house, boarding
house and private residence.

This program aims to have students learn about living conditions in colonial times and how attendance at school during the early 20th century differs from today’s school.

Studying the different uses of the building over 170 years, will allow
students an insight into life in the region from the time soon after the
first crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Wentworth and
Lawson to the present time.

Students will be able to experience the way of life in a kitchen of the 1830s, a wayside inn of the 1850-60s and participate in a day in the schoolroom of the early 1900s.