Collections
Online talk
‘Most came because their fare was paid for them’: NSW assisted immigration
Join us for this webinar led by Dr Richard Reid, to get a glimpse of the treasures in the NSW State Archives Collection that illuminate the assisted emigrant journey
Friday 28 August 10.30am–11.30am
The Reinterment of Devonshire Street Cemetery
This webinar explores the records from the NSW State Archives Collection that reveal the history of one of Sydney’s oldest burial grounds and the mammoth job of reinterring those buried there to allow for the construction of Central Railway Station
The interior design profession in Sydney
The professional practice of interior design took shape over the 20th century. It became formalised through professional associations and the expectation that decorators be trained in design principles
Special event
Dream Feast – Vivid Food
Prepare to be indulged at Dream Feast, part of Vivid Food 2026. This multisensory communal dining experience will embrace nostalgia to transport you through time with music and visuals
Tuesday 2 June 6pm–9pm
Talk
Contested Ground: Archaeology and Urban Development
What do we do with the artefacts? Caring for our archaeological heritage
Wednesday 20 May 6pm–7pm
Talk
Vital Records: Tracing Births, Deaths and Marriages in NSW
Join us for a full-day seminar on the vital records that are key to all forms of historical research – births, deaths and marriages
Friday 7 August 9am–4.30pm
Latest News
A spotlight on mould
Mould is one of the last things you want to find on records, but it can occur in any collection. Poor ventilation, high humidity or weather events can all contribute. Learn how you can identify mould and manage small outbreaks
The mysterious O.S.B.
One item in the Caroline Simpson Library Collection has been capturing our attention recently: a beautifully illustrated catalogue of electric light fittings, identified only by a mysterious insignia on the cover – the initials ‘O.S.B.’