Museums of History New South Wales

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West elevation (front) of Hyde Park Barracks, from across Queens Square
Museum stories

Hyde Park Barracks

UNESCO World Heritage convict site

Exterior of Rose Seidler House
Museum stories

Rose Seidler House

A new way of living

Front of the house, Rouse Hill Estate
Museum stories

Rouse Hill Estate

Untouched history

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Stories

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Detail of the four poster bed and beaded watch pockets in the Principal bedroom, Vaucluse House

Watch pockets

Watch pockets hung on the head cloth of a four-post bedstead and originally served in place of bedside tables, which were uncommon in the 19th century

Sergeant Tracker Alexander ‘Alec’ Riley wearing his police uniform

Alexander Riley, legendary Aboriginal police tracker

The remarkable talents of Aboriginal trackers who worked for NSW Police in the 20th century are featured in a display at the Justice & Police Museum

A mannequin dressed in an elaborate Renaissance-style stage costume stands in a large Perspex-fronted display case . On the rear wall a small screen is showing a scene from the opera Lucrezia Borgia where Dame Joan Sutherland is wearing the same costume.

Dressing Joan Sutherland

One of the most spectacular costumes on display in the exhibition The People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50 is an extraordinary Renaissance dress designed by Kristian Fredrikson and worn by Dame Joan Sutherland in the part of the notorious Lucrezia Borgia

Acquisition of the John and Phyllis Murphy wallpaper collection

Wall to wall: a marvellous wallpaper collection

A remarkable donation of over 3000 wallpaper samples by John and Phyllis Murphy adds to our existing collection to form Australia’s largest repository of historic wallpapers

View of the columns and balcony, The Mint
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Rum Hospital Verandah Conservation

This important heritage work will include the structural remediation to columns, subfloor structure and balustrade and the painting of the columns using a traditional sand paint finish

Argyle Well
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Save the date! Sydney Open 2023 program launch

The Sydney Open City Pass program is returning on 5 November 2023 and is your key to the city, unlocking buildings and spaces throughout Sydney’s CBD

Sydney Open 6/11/2022. Picture James Horan for Sydney Living Museums
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Volunteer at Sydney Open 2023

Applications are now open to volunteer at Australia’s premier open building event

Dodgy, dangerous, disturbing

3D models: a fascinating exploration of some seemingly innocent objects modified for nefarious purposes from the Justice & Police Museum collection

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