What’s on
Featured exhibition
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
Visit ExhibitionEvents

Festival
Dharug Day Out
We’re joining forces with Muru Mittigar Cultural Centre to bring you a day of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, featuring live music, cultural performances and a range of food and artisan stalls
356 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
Sunday 12 July 11am–2pm

Tour
Digging Up the Neighbourhood
This walking tour uncovers The Rocks and Millers Point archaeology, including rare access to the preserved Parbury Ruins
58–64 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
Thursday 16 July 10.30am–12.30pm

Workshop
Weaving on Country with Malima
Malima, a family business from the La Perouse Aboriginal Community, share traditional Aboriginal weaving techniques. In this immersive workshop, learn about cultural knowledge and practices that connect weaving to Country
Wentworth Road, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Thursday 16 July 11am–12.30pm

Performance
House/Music: claire rousay
With its sweeping harbour views and rich layered interiors, Elizabeth Bay House offers a spectacular setting for music. Canadian–American musician, composer and artist claire rousay has created a unique form of musique concrète, zeroing in on personal emotions and the minutiae of everyday life
7 Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011
Friday 17 July 6pm–6.45pm

Tour
Glenn Murcutt Birthday Celebration and Tours of Littlemore House
This is your chance to wish one of Australia’s most celebrated architects, Glenn Murcutt AO, a happy 90th birthday with friends at the Littlemore House in Woollahra – a project completed 40 years ago this year and opened publicly for this event only
Sunday 26 July 10am–12pm

Tour
Members Hour: Caroline Simpson Library for Burdekin House
Experience Members Hour at the Caroline Simpson Library for Burdekin House
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 28 July 1pm–2pm

Online talk
Catalogues of Lost Dreams
House contents have been sold by auction in Sydney for over 200 years. Discover the gossip behind these sales and view auction catalogues
Friday 31 July 10.30am–11.30am

Performance
House/Music: Believe
In the charged atmosphere of the Justice & Police Museum, this live performance unfolds in a space shaped by layered stories. Believe is a new free jazz supergroup comprising four of the most inventive improvisers and composers in Sydney’s creative music scene
Corner Albert and Phillip streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Friday 31 July 6pm–7pm

Tour
Members: Convict Sydney Walking Tour
Experience a members-only Convict Sydney Walking Tour
Corner Phillip and Bridge streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 4 August 10.30am–12.30pm

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

Tour
Convict Sydney Walking Tour
Join one of our knowledgeable and expert guides for a tour of Convict Sydney
Corner Phillip and Bridge streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 11 August 10.30am–12.30pm

Talk
Firestick
A new six-part talk series featuring First Nations visionaries who are blazing a trail and lighting the way for future generations in diverse industries from video game design to global fashion
10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Thursday 13 August 6pm–7.30pm

Performance
House/Music: Wytchings
The historic Elizabeth Farm homestead creates a fitting backdrop for this exclusive listening experience. Wytchings is the music project of artist Jenny Trinh. Trinh creates electronic soundscapes that are introspective yet familiar, and that soundtrack the abstract experiences of growing up amid the changing urban landscapes of Western Sydney
70 Alice Street, Rosehill NSW 2142
Friday 14 August 6pm–7pm

Tour
Copy, Paste, Profit
Discover the dark and tangled tales of Indian design woven through this historic textile collection
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Thursday 20 August 3.30pm–4.30pm

Tour
Holding Hatred
Behind the walls where Sydney’s accused, convicted and condemned were charged and sentenced lie objects too disturbing for regular public display
Corner Albert and Phillip streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Thursday 27 August 3.30pm–4.30pm

Performance
House/Music: Hilary Geddes Quartet
Take a seat at the historic Justice & Police Museum and be transported through improvisation and sound as the Hilary Geddes Quartet play music from the album Redleaf. Hilary Geddes is an Australian guitarist and composer whose work moves between jazz, indie and experimental music
Corner Albert and Phillip streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Friday 28 August 6pm–7pm

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

Talk
Members Hour: Rose Seidler House
Experience Members Hour: Rose Seidler House
71 Clissold Road, Wahroonga NSW 2076
Sunday 30 August 9am–10am

Tour
Members: Wentworth Mausoleum Tour
Enjoy a members-only walking tour of the rarely opened Wentworth Mausoleum and learn about William Charles Wentworth’s extravagant 1873 state funeral
Wentworth Road, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Wednesday 16 September 2pm–3.30pm

Tour
Members Hour: Hyde Park Barracks
Experience Members Hour 2026 at the Hyde Park Barracks
Queens Square, Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000
Monday 12 October 9am–10am
Event series

Sydney Open Series
Building on the Sydney Open program, this series offers talks, workshops, and tours throughout the year, with a focus on history, architecture, design innovation, sustainability, and heritage

HomeGrown Series
Exploring Australian homes, gardens and domestic life past and present through a rich and eclectic mix of workshops, tours and talks held in Museums of History NSW’s beautiful historic houses and gardens

Collections Series
Join our expert curators, archivists, researchers and conservators for talks, tours, viewings and discussions as they highlight some of our most fascinating collection material
On display

Featured display
Eora by Michael Riley
Eora, by the late Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi filmmaker and photographer Michael Riley (1960–2004), is a 20-minute digital film that tells the story of Sydney’s First Nations people – before and after colonisation
Saturday 7 December

Featured display
Madjeri
Madjeri (pronounced mud-jer-ee) is the Dharawal word for canoe or small floating vessel
Saturday 3 August
![Burdekin House, Elizabeth Bay House, Sydney Mint, Old Sydney 1933-35 / [Thomas J Lawlor, photographer] [photograph album]](https://api.mhnsw.au/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.mhnsw.au%2Ffotoweb%2Fembed%2F2026%2F06%2F209e4a0ba5c7492a8076056e64557c47.jpg&w=1920&h=400&fit=inside)
Featured display
Leaving Only Memories: The loss of Burdekin House
Our current display showcases objects and artworks related to Burdekin House, a grand colonial mansion that once stood on Macquarie Street but was demolished in 1933, a victim of Sydney’s urban development
Tuesday 7 July

Permanent display
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
Saturday 1 April

Permanent display
Healing land, remembering Country
A powerful work by Kuku Yalanji artist Tony Albert
Sunday 30 April

Permanent display
Yura Nura: People & Country
Yura Nura: People & Country presents contemporary Aboriginal reflections on the history of Sydney and colonisation
Saturday 1 April
Touring exhibitions

Touring exhibition
On the Move
Grab your ticket and enter an interactive transport world created in collaboration with illustrator James Gulliver Hancock

Touring exhibition
How cities work
Enter an immersive cityscape full of magical, tactile experiences to discover how the city works. Peek inside buildings, duck underground, and explore the streets to find out what’s going on above your head and beneath your feet