Museums of History NSW (MHNSW) is a statutory body of the Government of New South Wales that is responsible for historic sites, state collections, and archives in the state of 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. MHNSW headquarters are in The Mint, and sites run by the organisation include various houses, gardens, parklands, and urban spaces across New South Wales.
History
The Historic Houses Trust was established under the Historic Houses Trust Act 1980 and originally charged with the running of Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House. The Trust expanded to care for 12 houses, gardens, and museums in New South Wales. the Trust was caring for 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.
In 2023, Sydney Living Museums merged with the State Archives and Records Authority to form Museums of History NSW.
Events Museums of History NSW organises the annual Sydney Open event in which visitors explore modern and old buildings in the Sydney CBD. Sydney Open allows visitors access to parts of buildings that they would not otherwise be able to see. In 2026, a satellite event named Parramatta Open launched, expanding the experience to Parramatta rather than just the CBD.
Sites Museums of History NSW currently manages the following properties: PropertyImage Acquired/assumedmanagement Date opened StatusThe Mint, Macquarie Street, Sydney 1998 1998 and 2004 Headquarters and the Caroline Simpson Library Elizabeth Bay House, Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay 1980 1980 MuseumElizabeth Farm, Alice Street, Rosehill 1984 1984 MuseumHyde Park Barracks, Macquarie Street, Sydney 1990 1991 Museum Justice and Police Museum, Circular Quay, Sydney 1990 1991 MuseumMeroogal, Cnr West and Worrigee Streets, Nowra 1985 1988 MuseumMuseum of Sydney, Corner Philip and Bridge Streets, Sydney 1990 1995 MuseumRouse Hill Estate, Rouse Hill 1987 1999 MuseumRose Seidler House, Clissold Road, Wahroonga 1988 1991 MuseumSusannah Place, The Rocks, Sydney 1990 1993 Museum Vaucluse House, Wentworth Road, Vaucluse 1980 1980 Museum
See also
National Trust of Australia (New South Wales)
External links
Notes
References