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Become a member
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Unearthed
Between 1983 and 1991, archaeologists excavated one of the most contested blocks of land in Sydney – the site of Australia’s first Government House
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Unearthed
Between 1983 and 1991, archaeologists excavated one of the most contested blocks of land in Sydney – the site of Australia’s first Government House
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Collections on Tour
We're on the road again, sharing our stories with the people of regional NSW
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Collections on Tour
We're on the road again, sharing our stories with the people of regional NSW
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Learning
Discover past lives, events and stories in the places where they actually unfolded
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Learning
Discover past lives, events and stories in the places where they actually unfolded
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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
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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
Read on
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Stitching for our house museums
For almost 15 years, a dedicated group of volunteers has gathered to sew, crochet, knit, embroider and stuff historically authentic soft furnishings for our houses
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Stitching for our house museums
For almost 15 years, a dedicated group of volunteers has gathered to sew, crochet, knit, embroider and stuff historically authentic soft furnishings for our houses
Read more
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Archaeology of the first Government House
Archaeological excavations on the site of Australia’s first Government House – built for Governor Arthur Phillip on Gadigal Country in 1788–89 – during the 1980s and 90s uncovered the foundations along with approximately 140,000 artefacts
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Archaeology of the first Government House
Archaeological excavations on the site of Australia’s first Government House – built for Governor Arthur Phillip on Gadigal Country in 1788–89 – during the 1980s and 90s uncovered the foundations along with approximately 140,000 artefacts
More
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Be inspired
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Be inspired
Unique and spectacular spaces for your next event or occasion
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Music

Performance

Sunday Sessions curated by Music in Exile

Music in Exile curates three Sundays of intimate live music at Elizabeth Farm, spotlighting bold new voices reshaping Australian music

Sunday 11 October 2pm–5pm

Music

Sylvia Evans at her dressing table in her bedroom at Alwyn, Arncliffe, around 1927 / Alan Evans

Fatshaudi commissioned works

We commissioned a range of musicians to create new compositions for Dream Feast in response to sheet music held in the Caroline Simpson Library Collection. One of the musicians, Fatshaudi (Brisbane-based producer Rachael Ryan), shares her experience

[Sydney from the north shore], Joseph Lycett, 1827.

Hearing the music of early New South Wales

A new website documents an exciting partnership between Museums of History NSW and the University of Sydney in an exploration of Indigenous song and European settler vocal and instrumental music in early colonial NSW

Donors enjoying the 'Syrens of Sydney' concert

The Syrens of Sydney: a bespoke donor experience

On a perfect autumn afternoon in late May, donors were immersed in the musical world of the Wentworths and their contemporaries at the 'Syrens of Sydney' concert held at Vaucluse House

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