What’s on

Events

Elizabeth Farm school holidays shoot
Various dates & times
Workshop

History Kids – Explore the House at Elizabeth Farm

Explore the house at Elizabeth Farm these summer holidays

70 Alice Street, Rosehill NSW 2142
Wednesday 8 January 10.30am–11.30am
Vaucluse House School Holidays offer
Various dates & times
Workshop

History Kids – Explore Vaucluse House

Explore Vaucluse House these summer holidays

Wentworth Road, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Thursday 9 January 10.30am–11.30am
Samson and Delilah directed by Warwick Thornton
Film

Through a Blak Lens: The work, influences and legacy of Michael Riley

Join us for a film program that explores the contributions and influence of the late Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi artist Michael Riley (1960-2004)

Corner Phillip and Bridge streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Sunday 12 January 2pm–3.30pm
Elizabeth Farm school holidays shoot
Workshop

Accessible History Kids

Join us for a tactile and sensory workshop where kids will discover what life was like at Elizabeth Farm 200 years ago.

70 Alice Street, Rosehill NSW 2142
Monday 13 January 9am–10.30am
Front verandah, Elizabeth Farm
Tour

Members Hour: Elizabeth Farm

Members will be treated to a special tour with a focus on events around 26 January 1808, including the role John Macarthur played in the overthrow of Governor William Bligh

70 Alice Street, Rosehill NSW 2142
Saturday 25 January 9am–10am
Settlers' muster book, 1800
Online talk

Settlers’ Muster Book 1800

Join us for a webinar led by Dr Carol Liston AO, Adjunct Associate Professor in History at Western Sydney University, who will explore the contents of the Settlers’ Muster Book 1800

Friday 31 January 10.30am–11.30am
Murphy sample book 2: No. 10. 1925
Talk

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
Acquisition of the John and Phyllis Murphy wallpaper collection
Online talk

Murphy Wallpaper Collection

This webinar will illustrate the (perhaps surprising) riot of colour and pattern with which Australians decorated their homes in the 19th and early 20th centuries and will also consider what these wallpapers can tell us about the aspirations of Australian homeowners in the past

Friday 7 February 10.30am–11.30am
Sonic Spaces event Hyde Park Barracks
Various dates
Performance

Sonic Spaces

Sonic Spaces returns for 2025 with an exciting new series of music performances, held in one of the city’s most unique venues

Queens Square, Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000
Friday 7 February 6.30pm–7.30pm
Recipe booklet: Fowler's Method: of bottling fruits and vegetables, Fowlers Vacola, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, 1952
Talk

An Appetite for History

Cookery books and manuscript recipes from 1830s to the 1970s

The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Wednesday 12 March 6pm–7.30pm
Detective at foot of Argyle Steps, The Rocks (Sydney), late 1930s. Details unknown.
Tour

Sin City: Sydney Crime Stories

Visit real crime scenes from the past and hear the stories behind the crimes

Corner Albert and Phillip streets, Sydney NSW 2000
Sunday 23 March 10.30am–12.30pm
Cover label Small debts registers [Newcastle Court of Petty Sessions]
Online talk

Small Debts Registers

This webinar will explore the newly indexed and digitised Small Debt Registers held in the NSW State Archives Collection, and how they can highlight the history of NSW local communities

Friday 28 March 10.30am–11.30am
Sydney Bird Club for HomeGrown
Workshop

Bird Watching with the Sydney Bird Club

Join us for an inclusive bird watching tour that will explore the Vaucluse House Estate and Nielsen Park

Wentworth Road, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Sunday 30 March 10.30am–12pm

Event series

Sydney Opera House sails with a crane in front and the Sydney Open graphic over the top

Sydney Open Series

Building on the Sydney Open program, this series offers talks, workshops, and tours throughout the year, with a focus on history, architecture, design innovation, sustainability, and heritage

A brick wall with an old wooden window with bougainvillea growing over it

HomeGrown Series

Exploring Australian homes, gardens and domestic life past and present through a rich and eclectic mix of workshops, tours and talks held in Museums of History NSW’s beautiful historic houses and gardens

Close-up on a wallpaper laid out ready for digitisation, Museums Discovery Centre

Collections Series

Join our expert curators, archivists, researchers and conservators for talks, tours, viewings and discussions as they highlight some of our most fascinating collection material

On display

Madjeri
Featured display

Madjeri

Madjeri (pronounced mud-jer-ee) is the Dharawal word for canoe or small floating vessel

A wallpaper frieze
On display
Featured display

A Generous Gift: The John and Phyllis Murphy Collection

Our current library display features an array of colourful and evocative historical wallpapers from the John and Phyllis Murphy Collection

Tuesday 29 October
Sergeant Tracker Alexander ‘Alec’ Riley, standing in police uniform
Permanent display

Alexander Riley, legendary Aboriginal police tracker

The remarkable talents of Aboriginal trackers who worked for NSW Police in the 20th century are featured in a display at the Justice & Police Museum

Tony Albert, Healing land, remembering Country, 2020. Installation view for Elizabeth Farm (2020).
Permanent display

Healing land, remembering Country

A powerful work by Kuku Yalanji artist Tony Albert

Permanent display

Yura Nura: People & Country

Yura Nura: People & Country presents contemporary Aboriginal reflections on the history of Sydney and colonisation

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