Museums of History New South Wales

West elevation (front) of Hyde Park Barracks, from across Queens Square

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There’s plenty happening every day at our museums, historic houses and gardens, with entry free for all!

Student carrying convict bricks in the courtyard at Hyde Park Barracks

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Explore our curriculum-linked programs, excursions and resources for stages 1 to 6. Inquire or book now

Education programme at Hyde Park Barracks.

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Your support will help us to preserve and share the stories of NSW through our places, collections, archives and programs

The view of the gardens from the roof of Vaucluse House

Heritage

We manage, maintain and interpret buildings and places of historic importance for the education and enjoyment of the public

Sydney Open

Our city’s premier architectural event, opening the doors of the most historically and architecturally inspiring buildings and spaces across Sydney

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Explore the collections

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Sydney Opera House - Red Book
Latest News

Envisioning the ‘Sydney National Opera House’: A different ‘Red Book’

A variant version of the ‘Red Book’ – with additional plans dated May 1958 – has recently been generously donated to Museums of History NSW by Mr Mark Matheson

page from an 1836 bundle of correspondence
Latest News

Languages alive 2024

In the second annual NSW Aboriginal Languages Week, held on 20–27 October, we celebrate the determination and courage of First Nations peoples to maintain and revitalise languages

Two men pushing a heavy object on a wooden trolley
Latest News

Conservation works at Rouse Hill Estate

After detailed condition inspections of the state heritage–listed Rouse Hill Estate, MHNSW’s Capital Works and Heritage teams have begun a large-scale conservation project that will sensitively address a range of identified issues

North range of the Hyde Park Barracks
Latest News

Hyde Park Barracks conservation works complete

In collaboration with experienced heritage consultants and tradespeople, MHNSW has now completed challenging and complex conservation works on the northern range buildings on the Hyde Park Barracks site

First Nations Hub

A space and place to celebrate and engage with First Nations cultures, knowledge and perspectives

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Stories

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Phyllis Murphy in her East Malvern apartment, Melbourne, c1950
Wallpaper

Beyond the wallpaper: the life and work of Phyllis and John Murphy

A significant donation of more than 3,000 wallpaper samples to the Caroline Simpson Library reflects just one facet of the remarkable careers of Phyllis and John Murphy, partners in life, architecture and heritage conservation

The refreshed visitor centre at Rouse Hill Estate

Layered histories: refurbishing the visitor centre at Rouse Hill Estate

Refreshed and renewed, the refurbished visitor centre at Rouse Hill Estate, on Dharug Country, offers visitors an invitation to explore the property and discover its richly layered history

Exterior of the engine room at The Mint at the completion of the adaptive reuse project, the wall stabilised and now protected by the new structure

The Mint project: Sydney’s adaptive reuse triumph

Sydney’s urban landscape is a testament to both the city’s rich history and examples of forward-thinking vision. Among the most compelling examples of this fusion of past and future is the revitalisation of the Mint complex

Letter containing a statement of absolute pardon for Samuel Henry Horn (more often known as  Horne), dated 1830 and signed by Governor Richard Bourke in 1832

Convict turned constable

A recently donated letter, signed by the governor of NSW in 1832, offers a tangible connection to the story of Samuel Horne, a convict who rose to the rank of district chief constable in the NSW Police

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