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Collections Series

Museums of History NSW holds one of Australia’s most significant cultural collections incorporating the State archives, 13 historically significant buildings and sites – including a diverse range of objects, artefacts and materials related to these places – and the Caroline Simpson Library Collection. The MHNSW Collection Series explores a multitude of stories, perspectives and experiences associated with this unique collection.

Join our expert curators, archivists, researchers and conservators for talks, tours, viewings and discussions as they highlight some of our most fascinating collection material – from buildings to wallpaper, house furnishings, art, furniture, rare books and archival material.

What's on

Alexander Mackintosh Archive : architectural plans and specifications, 1901-1924: Alfred H. Hale and Norman D. Hale, architects : architectural plans and specifications, 1905-1921 / Alfred H. Hale & Norman D. Hale [architectural drawings]
Talk

The Alexander Mackintosh Archive

Join Mel Flyte, Collections Discovery Assistant at Museums of History NSW, for a special viewing of the Alexander Mackintosh Archive

The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 13 May 12pm–1pm
Sewing pattern, Simplicity 5273, used by former Susannah Place resident, Ellen Marshall, 1972, paper
Tour

Up Close and Personal

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Susannah Place Collection

Saturday 5 April 1pm–3pm
Recipe booklet: Fowler's Method: of bottling fruits and vegetables, Fowlers Vacola, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, 1952
Past event

An Appetite for History

Cookbooks and manuscript recipes from the 1830s to the 1970s

The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Wednesday 12 March 6pm–7.30pm
Murphy sample book 2: No. 10. 1925
Past event

A Lesson in Bold Design

Exploring the John and Phyllis Murphy Collection of historic wallpapers

The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Wednesday 5 February 6pm–7.30pm
Tour at Elizabeth Farm with Dr Scott Hill
Past event

Elizabeth Farm: a museum at 40

Join MHNSW curator Dr Scott Hill for a tour of Australia’s oldest surviving house and its recreated garden

70 Alice Street, Rosehill NSW 2142
Saturday 30 November 11am–12pm
Silhouette reverse painted on glass
Past event

Mrs Simpson's legacy - in conversation with Edward Simpson

Join us to explore some of the highlights of Mrs Caroline Simpson's unique cultural gift and discover the story of the woman behind the collection

The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 29 October 6pm–7.30pm
The polychromatic ornament of Italy / by Edward Adams, architect.
Past event

A designer’s inspiration: 19th century ornament source books

Lavishly illustrated Ornament Source Books provided creative inspiration to 19th century designers. A wide variety will be on view for this Rare Book Week event

The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Wednesday 23 October 2.30pm–3.30pm
Address presented to Lord Carrington Governor of NSW from the Murrumbidgee P & A Association, 1890.
Past event

Lord Carrington’s illuminated addresses

Join us for a special Rare Book Week event showcasing the Carrington Albums, a jewel in the State Archives Collection

161 O'Connell Street, Kingswood NSW 2747
Thursday 24 October 10.30am–12pm

Featured display

Tapis linoleum : saisons 1893-94 / John Barry, Ostlere & Co. Ltd., fabricants a Kirkcaldy (Ecosse) [trade catalogue]
Featured display

Repurposed: Creative reuse in the library collection

Our current library display explores the unique and sometimes surprising ways in which items from the library collection have been repurposed

The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tuesday 11 March

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Collections stories

Women police in NSW: a history of firsts

A collection of photographs at the Justice & Police Museum document the hard-won firsts, beginning in 1915, that led to women attaining equal status within the NSW Police Force

Wallpaper roller undergoing 3D capture using photogrammetry
Wallpaper

Wallpaper printing rollers: from machine printing to 3D capture

In December 2022, Phyllis Murphy AM generously donated to the Caroline Simpson Library more than 3,000 wallpaper samples. While the bulk of the donation consists of wallpaper rolls, lengths and sample books, it also includes two printing rollers

Alexander Mackintosh Archive : architectural plans and specifications, 1901-ca.1921: Waterhouse & Lake : architectural plans and specifications, 1909-1924 / B.J. Waterhouse & J.W. Lake [architectural drawing]

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

[Sydney from the north shore], Joseph Lycett, 1827.

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