The Mint holds great historical significance. It was constructed in the 1810s under the direction of Governor Macquarie as the southern wing of the General ‘Rum’ Hospital, which provided medical care for convicts. When gold fever hit in the 1850s it was transformed into the first overseas branch of London’s Royal Mint, and it has since had a diverse range of uses. Today The Mint houses the Museums of History NSW head office, the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, a café, restaurant, retail shop, and multiple venue hire spaces for your next booking.