Museums of History NSW is a statutory body of the government of New South Wales that is responsible for historic sites, state collections and archives in New South Wales, Australia. In 2023, the former State Archives and Records Authority was merged with Sydney Living Museums (formerly known as Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales) to form MHNSW. The sites include various houses, gardens, parklands and urban spaces. In 2011, its sites attracted over two million visitors each year.[1]

Museums of History NSW
Museums of History NSW logo

The Mint – Headquarters of the HHT
Statutory authority overview
Formed1980
JurisdictionNew South Wales
HeadquartersThe Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney, Australia
Employees251 (2016–2017 annual report headcount)
Annual budgetA$27.664 million[when?]
Minister responsible
Parent Statutory authorityCreate NSW
Key documents
  • Historic Houses Trust Act 1980
  • Museums of History NSW Act 2022
Websitehttps://mhnsw.au

The chief executive of the former Sydney Living Museums, called Executive Director, was responsible to the Department of Planning and Environment cluster.[1][2] The Trust reported to the Minister for the Arts. Ultimately the minister is responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.

History

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The Historic Houses Trust was established under the Historic Houses Trust Act 1980[3] and originally charged with the running of Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House. Since then, the Trust has expanded to care for 12 houses, gardens and museums in New South Wales. The Trust also looks after over 48,000 catalogued objects across all of the sites. In 2013, the Historic Houses Trust launched its new identity as Sydney Living Museums to refresh and unify its diverse range of properties and highlight its role and relevance for current and future generations.[1] In 2023, Sydney Living Museums merged with the State Archives and Records Authority to form Museums of History NSW.[4]

Sites

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Prior to the 2023 establishment of Museums of History NSW, Sydney Living Museums managed the following sites:

Property Image Acquired/
assumed
management
Date opened Status
Vaucluse House, Wentworth Road, Vaucluse   1980 1980 Museum
Elizabeth Bay House, Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay   1980 1980 Museum
Elizabeth Farm, Alice Street, Rose Hill   1984 1984 Museum
Lyndhurst 1984 (sold 2005) Offices and library
Meroogal, Cnr West & Worrigee Streets, Nowra 1985 1988 Museum
Rouse Hill Estate, Rouse Hill   1987 1999 Museum
Rose Seidler House, Clissold Road, Wahroonga   1988 1991 Museum
Hyde Park Barracks, Macquarie Street, Sydney   1990 1991 Museum
Justice & Police Museum, Circular Quay, Sydney   1990 1991 Museum
Museum of Sydney, Cnr Philip & Bridge Streets, Sydney   1990 1995 Museum
Young Street Terraces, Young Street, Sydney 1990  – Offices
Susannah Place Museum, The Rocks, Sydney   1990 1993 Museum
Walter Burley Griffin House 1993 (sold 1995) Conservation project
The Mint, Macquarie Street, Sydney   1998 1998 and 2004 Offices and the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection
former Rouse Hill Public School, Rouse Hill 2003 2010 Museum and education facilities
Tusculum 2007  – Leased
Exeter Farm, Exeter 2007  – Endangered Houses Fund project
Glenfield 2007  – Endangered Houses Fund project
Nissen hut[where?] 2007  – Endangered Houses Fund project
Moruya Presbyterian Manse, Moruya 2007  – Endangered Houses Fund project

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "About us". Sydney Living Museums. Government of New South Wales. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  2. ^ "NSW Public Sector: Principal Departments and Other Bodies" (PDF). Government of New South Wales. 17 August 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  3. ^ Historic Houses Trust Act 1980 No 94: Accessed 15 May 2021
  4. ^ "Taking Sydney out of the picture – rebrand gets it right". www.artshub.com.au. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
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