Stories
Our houses, museums and collections are packed to the brim with stories of all kinds
Latest stories
‘A creature of incredible taste’: Winnafreda, Countess of Portarlington
Australian by birth, Winnafreda Portarlington was one of the most glamorous and well-connected women in British society in the first half of the 20th century. Find out more about this fascinating woman, her social connections, and her collections
The Spa subsidised school
A curious index card unlocks information about a unique subsidised school, whose history has been preserved within the State Archives Collection
Conservation in action: Meroogal exterior painting 2025
At Meroogal, the ongoing conservation of the beautiful timber detailing of the Juliet balconies, the bargeboards and fascia boards of the gables, weatherboards and masonry chimneys requires specialist knowledge and skills
First Nations stories
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First Nations
Little footsteps, big futures: honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
In this article, Beth Thornber, Access Advisor on the First Nations Community Access to Archives project, reflects on the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day through examining the role of young First Nations people in language preservation and revitalisation
First Nations
Grief in the archives: a Blak reflection on Sorry Day
In this article, Dylan Hoskins, Project Assistant on the First Nations Community Access to Archives project, reflects on the significance of National Sorry Day through his lived experience as an Aboriginal person
First Nations
Seeing Sydney, Knowing Country: The Library of the Dreaming
Dharawal and Yuin designer Alison Page shares the knowledge and philosophies that define Aboriginal understandings of Country and the life that is lived on it
![NRS 12061 [12/8749.1] 62/1515pt1, p334](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/zl9du87e/staging/f95209714e7233f28b7abc814dbc999c0d9033e3-1404x2000.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&q=90&rect=0,525,1404,861&w=652)
First Nations
Advocacy, allyship and the rise and fall of the Aborigines Protection Board
In the lead-up to 26 January, the State Archives Collection provides opportunities to explore and reflect on past examples of advocacy and allyship in the fight for First Nations rights
Featured highlights
Convict Sydney
From the beginnings of the ‘convicts’ colony’ to the expansion of the British settlement further into Aboriginal Country, these stories trace the history of contemporary Sydney
Wallpaper
With Australia’s largest collection of historical wallpapers, including over 3,000 samples donated by John and Phyllis Murphy, the Caroline Simpson Library contains a wealth of associated stories
Architecture & design
Stories about architecture and design inspired by our collections, historic sites and exhibitions enable a better understanding of the history and trends that have influenced Sydney’s built environment
Plant your history
Explore the horticultural heritage embedded in our historic gardens, and discover the plants that have shaped and been shaped by NSW’s cultural and natural history
Underworld
The 1920s were a fertile time for criminal activity in Sydney’s inner suburbs. These stories delve into Sydney’s underworld
From our collections
Stories from the State Archives Collection, Caroline Simpson Library Collection and museum collections offer invaluable insights into the cultural, social and historical contexts of NSW and Australia
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Heritage
Museums of History NSW preserves and presents the unique history found in the buildings, collections and landscapes we manage. Learn about our approach to heritage conservation in these stories from our places
World War I
Explore the impact of World War I on a range of communities in NSW and Australia through stories relating to army recruitment, military strikes, family separation and loss
From our properties
Conserving our collections
Flat out access: unfolding the parchment pardon of Samuel Henry Horne
The conservators at the Western Sydney Records Centre treat items from across Museums of History NSW collections. A recent example is the 1832 absolute pardon of convict Samuel Henry Horne
An immersive solution to preserving the past
An important part of Collections Care work at the Western Sydney Records Centre is to conserve records that have been requested by readers and assessed as requiring repair
Conserving the archive
Supervising conservator Dominique Moussou talks through her work and some of the projects underway in the MHNSW conservation lab
3D story telling
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Uncovered at Susannah Place
During extensive conservation work at Susannah Place, previously hidden elements of the four terrace houses were revealed
Home in the Hunter
The Hunter Region is the traditional home of the Wonnarua people. The first European settlers arrived in the 1820s, mainly squatters who claimed large areas of land on which to graze sheep
'A most excellent brick house' Elizabeth Farm
Curator Dr Scott Hill explores some of the enduring mysteries buried in the architecture of Australia’s oldest surviving homestead
Museum stories
Hyde Park Barracks: a keeper of lost things
Uncover and explore some of the items found inside the barracks
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