Museums of History New South Wales

Visit us

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

Learning

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

Support us

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

Heritage

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

Call for participants: Hope Garden by Hiromi Tango

Museums of History NSW is delighted to announce a dramatic new art installation, 'Hope', by renowned multidisciplinary artist Hiromi Tango, to be displayed at the Hyde Park Barracks from 11 April 2025

Exploring the archaeology of the first Government House

Donors joined Dr Aaron De Souza, Research Manager at Museums of History NSW, for a fascinating bespoke talk and behind-the-scenes viewing of a selection of the more than 140,000 archaeological finds from the site of Australia’s first Government House

2024 Wedding Industry Awards win for Estate Vaucluse House

Estate Vaucluse House has won the Greater Sydney Wedding Venue – Historic Venue category at the 2024 Wedding Industry Awards

New insights from an old photograph

A recent acquisition for the Caroline Simpson Library captures a rare view of the long-demolished southern range of the Hyde Park Barracks

The Alexander Mackintosh Archive: revealing records of a master builder

Forgotten for decades, the archive of building contractor Alexander Mackintosh was rediscovered in a roof space in the 1990s. It includes more than 270 architectural drawings and reveals information about the work of many of Sydney’s leading architects of the early 20th century

Meet the artist – Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2024 winner Jackie Streit

'Vexations in blue' by Jackie Streit has been awarded first prize in the Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2024

Hearing the music of early New South Wales

A new website documents an exciting partnership between Museums of History NSW and the University of Sydney in an exploration of Indigenous song and European settler vocal and instrumental music in early colonial NSW

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