Caroline Simpson Collection
Home and garden design, history and life
Collections Series
Museums of History NSW holds one of Australia’s most significant cultural collections incorporating the State archives, 13 historically significant buildings and sites – including a diverse range of objects, artefacts and materials related to these places – and the Caroline Simpson Library Collection. The MHNSW Collection Series explores a multitude of stories, perspectives and experiences associated with this unique collection.
Join our expert curators, archivists, researchers and conservators for talks, tours, viewings and discussions as they highlight some of our most fascinating collection material – from buildings to wallpaper, house furnishings, art, furniture, rare books and archival material.
What's on
Talk
In conversation: Community Policing, Policing a Community
On the anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (24 June 1978), join us for this special Collections Series event
Corner Albert and Phillip streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 24 June 6pm–7.30pm
![Alexander Mackintosh Archive :
architectural plans and specifications, 1901-1924: Alfred H. Hale and Norman D. Hale, architects : architectural plans and specifications, 1905-1921 / Alfred H. Hale & Norman D. Hale [architectural drawings]](https://images.mhnsw.au/fotoweb/embed/2025/04/2161bf7ca0dd41239726913d7e21b49e.jpg)
Past event
The Alexander Mackintosh Archive
Join Mel Flyte, Collections Discovery Assistant at Museums of History NSW, for a special viewing of the Alexander Mackintosh Archive
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 13 May 12pm–1pm
Past event
Up Close and Personal
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Susannah Place Collection
Saturday 5 April 1pm–3pm
Past event
An Appetite for History
Cookbooks and manuscript recipes from the 1830s to the 1970s
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Wednesday 12 March 6pm–7.30pm
Past event
A Lesson in Bold Design
Exploring the John and Phyllis Murphy Collection of historic wallpapers
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Wednesday 5 February 6pm–7.30pm
Past event
Elizabeth Farm: a museum at 40
Join MHNSW curator Dr Scott Hill for a tour of Australia’s oldest surviving house and its recreated garden
70 Alice Street, Rosehill NSW 2142
Saturday 30 November 11am–12pm
Past event
Mrs Simpson's legacy - in conversation with Edward Simpson
Join us to explore some of the highlights of Mrs Caroline Simpson's unique cultural gift and discover the story of the woman behind the collection
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 29 October 6pm–7.30pm
Past event
A designer’s inspiration: 19th century ornament source books
Lavishly illustrated Ornament Source Books provided creative inspiration to 19th century designers. A wide variety will be on view for this Rare Book Week event
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Wednesday 23 October 2.30pm–3.30pm
Past event
Lord Carrington’s illuminated addresses
Join us for a special Rare Book Week event showcasing the Carrington Albums, a jewel in the State Archives Collection
161 O'Connell Street, Kingswood NSW 2747
Thursday 24 October 10.30am–12pm
Featured display
![Tapis linoleum : saisons 1893-94 / John Barry, Ostlere & Co. Ltd., fabricants a Kirkcaldy (Ecosse) [trade catalogue]](https://images.mhnsw.au/fotoweb/embed/2025/03/8165e4349beb43d798932be0abf711f6.jpg)
Featured display
Repurposed: Creative reuse in the library collection
Our current library display explores the unique and sometimes surprising ways in which items from the library collection have been repurposed
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 11 March
Explore our Collections
Browse allState Archives Collection
Making history every day
Museum Collections
Place-based collections at our historic houses and museums
Collections stories
First Nations
Grief in the archives: a Blak reflection on Sorry Day
In this article, Dylan Hoskins, Project Assistant on the First Nations Community Access to Archives project, reflects on the significance of National Sorry Day through his lived experience as an Aboriginal person
An immersive solution to preserving the past
An important part of Collections Care work at the Western Sydney Records Centre is to conserve records that have been requested by readers and assessed as requiring repair
Women police in NSW: a history of firsts
A collection of photographs at the Justice & Police Museum document the hard-won firsts, beginning in 1915, that led to women attaining equal status within the NSW Police Force
![NRS 12061 [12/8749.1] 62/1515pt1, p334](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/zl9du87e/production/f95209714e7233f28b7abc814dbc999c0d9033e3-1404x2000.jpg?rect=0,525,1404,861&fit=max&auto=format)
First Nations
Advocacy, allyship and the rise and fall of the Aborigines Protection Board
In the lead-up to 26 January, the State Archives Collection provides opportunities to explore and reflect on past examples of advocacy and allyship in the fight for First Nations rights