Collections on Tour 2025

Making Home: A Short History of Houses, Interiors and Gardens in NSW

Learn about the history of houses, interiors and gardens in NSW and explore material relevant to your locality. Drawing on Museums of History NSW’s rich collections at the Caroline Simpson Library, the State Archives Collection and our museums, our experts will deliver illustrated presentations followed by a Q&A. There will also be an opportunity for you to view original collection material such as wallpaper, trade catalogues, tiles, architectural pattern books and historical garden sources.

MHNSW is delighted to be collaborating with the National Trust of Australia (NSW) for the first three events.

Talk schedule

Archives for Everyone: No debt too small or petty

From missing wages to disputes between neighbours, the Courts of Petty Sessions (now known as the Local Court) were long a place where communities sought justice. From 1846, the courts settled claims for debts of up to £10, and their Small Debts Registers document countless cases.

As part of our Archives for Everyone project, we’ve partnered with NSW community groups to digitise and index these valuable records.

Now, the registers are on tour! Join us for a unique opportunity to view these original documents and gain insights from our archivists. Featuring material from Museums of History NSW’s State Archives, Caroline Simpson Library and museum collections, this talk will uncover fascinating histories of local communities in NSW and the people who shaped them.

Talk schedule