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Become a member
For exclusive Member events and experiences plus a range of year round benefits
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The People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50
Celebrating five decades of extraordinary performances and unforgettable moments at the Sydney Opera House
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The People’s House: Sydney Opera House at 50
Celebrating five decades of extraordinary performances and unforgettable moments at the Sydney Opera House
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Collections
Dive deep or just browse among our diverse and inspiring collections
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State Archives Collection
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Caroline Simpson Collection
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Conserving the archives
See what the Conservation team are working on in the lab
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Conserving the archives
See what the Conservation team are working on in the lab
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Learning
Explore the past and imagine the future through immersive and interactive programs and resources, onsite and online
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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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First Nations Hub
A dedicated space for First Nations community, cultures and history
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Read and reflect
First Nations stories
First Nations Speaker Series
Harold Blair, trailblazer
Wulli Wulli tenor Harold Blair AM was Australia’s first professionally trained Aboriginal opera singer. An honour he had to fight for.
Read on
Harold Blair, trailblazer
Wulli Wulli tenor Harold Blair AM was Australia’s first professionally trained Aboriginal opera singer. An honour he had to fight for.
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
Read on
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 on
Stories
There’s no limit to the stories our houses, museums and collections can tell
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Popular topics
Architecture & design
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Regional NSW
Sydney Opera House
Women's stories
A new way of living
Once word spread about the newly built Rose Seidler House in 1950, it was the ‘most talked about house in Sydney’
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A new way of living
Once word spread about the newly built Rose Seidler House in 1950, it was the ‘most talked about house in Sydney’
Read more
Venue hire
From magnificent colonial style buildings to iconic modern designed spaces, we have a venue ready for you
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Be inspired
Unique and spectacular spaces for your next event or occasion
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Be inspired
Unique and spectacular spaces for your next event or occasion
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Government services
Information and resources for managing, storing and transferring government records 
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Government Records Repository
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Search our website and collections

Go direct to State Archives online indexes Go direct to State Archives catalogue

Shipping, wharves & ports

Boys in nautical uniforms sit a long benches on the top deck of a ship and a man at a blackboard stands in the centre near the mast

On This Day

20 May 1867 - Vernon nautical school admissions

On 20 May 1867 applications for admission to the nautical school-ship, the Vernon, commenced. The Vernon was purchased by the Colonial Secretary in January 1867 & moored in Sydney Harbour

Darling Harbour: Through the Lens

A brief history of the transformation of Darling Harbour

'Lady Hopetoun' docked at Commissioners Steps in front of the Sydney Harbour Trust building

Maritime Services Board

A sample of the 4000+ digitised glass plate negatives from the Maritime Services Board

Black and white photo showing wharf, horses and drays, Cowper Wharf Road

Maritime Services Board images

Dive into the Maritime Services Board images and see how you can find them

This is a pencil drawing of a ship moored near a headland

The splendid clipper 'Sobraon'

The forlorn hulk of the HMAS Tingira features in several 1930s drawings of Berrys Bay by celebrated artist Lloyd Rees