Conservation

Black and white photo of man seated on step.

Dr Jack Mundey AO (1929-2020)

Jack Mundey, a dedicated environmentalist and unionist, was as committed to ‘the workers’ as he was to our historic sites, and is fondly remembered by all who knew him

Behind the scenes
Latest News

Significance matters

As part of an ongoing partnership with Museums & Galleries of NSW, our Curatorial and Digital teams have been hard at work making a suite of vocational videos that explore the importance of assessing and communicating the significance of museum collections

Horticulturalist Stephen Goldsworthy planting seedlings in the kitchen garden
Conservation

Vaucluse House kitchen garden

The Vaucluse House kitchen garden recently underwent a significant rejuvenation project to preserve the site and allow it to continue to be used as a valuable educational resource

Exterior of white-painted two storey building with verandahs.
Conservation

Conservation in action: Rum Hospital's verandah and columns

Structural repairs and conservation of the timber verandah and columns of the former ‘Rum Hospital’.

Susannah Place - No 58-64 Gloucester Street, The Rocks

Lead at Susannah Place

The original paintwork has been retained at Susannah Place as the many layers tell the story of the use, decoration and age of the four houses

Locking up at Throsby Park

Among the set of house keys for Throsby Park are a number of very large brass mortice keys for 19th century internal door locks

Rose Seidler (left) and Bea Evans seated in the living room, Rose Seidler House

Conserving Harry Seidler’s sofa 

A sofa Harry Seidler designed for Rose Seidler House was conserved and reupholstered, and the process revealed some unexpected findings

Ornately furnished room with large floral carpet in centre of floor.

Brushing up on our housekeeping

No chemicals, nothing abrasive, just some elbow grease, an eye for detail, and steady hands

ABTS - Unboxing a glass plate negative

Archives behind the scenes - unboxing a glass plate negative

In this episode we visit the Conservation Lab where Elizabeth shows us how to unbox glass plate negatives - very gently!