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.
The grand three-storey mansion, built in 1841 for merchant Thomas Burdekin, had long been prized by historians and artists alike as a superb example of colonial architecture. Its demolition became a rallying symbol for the nascent heritage movement – a reminder that progress could result in the loss of some of the most cherished pieces of Sydney’s past. Public outrage over the loss of Burdekin House contributed to a movement that would ultimately save other historic sites at risk of destruction, including The Mint and the Hyde Park Barracks.
The display features salvaged remnants of the house itself, as well as artistic depictions created during its heyday and some of the last photographs ever captured of the beloved mansion.
Caroline Simpson Library
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000- Cafe
- Wheelchair accessible
7 July – 23 October 2026
Related
Salvaging a future for Sydney’s demolished buildings
When important historic buildings were demolished in 20th-century Sydney, one way to remember them was by saving, perhaps for re-use, some of their more notable architectural features
Burdekin House columns
Burdekin House was once described as one of the finest buildings in New South Wales and one of the sights to see when visiting Sydney
Burdekin House - St Malo columns
If the fluted timber columns made for Burdekin House now look a little battered and perhaps not as elegant as they were in the mid-19th century, it is hardly surprising after surviving two house demolitions