Museums of History NSW facts for kids
Museums of History NSW logo
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 The Mint – Headquarters of the HHT |
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| Statutory authority overview | |
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| Formed | 1980 |
| Jurisdiction | New South Wales |
| Headquarters | The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney, Australia |
| Employees | 251 (2016–2017 annual report headcount) |
| Annual budget | A$27.664 million |
| Minister responsible |
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| Parent Statutory authority | Create NSW |
| Key documents |
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| Website | https://mhnsw.au |
Museums of History NSW is a special group that looks after important historic places, collections, and old records in New South Wales, Australia. It's like a guardian for our state's history! This group is a "statutory body," which means it was created by a law passed by the government.
In 2023, two big groups joined together to create Museums of History NSW. These were the State Archives and Records Authority and Sydney Living Museums. Sydney Living Museums used to be called the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales.
Museums of History NSW takes care of many different places. These include old houses, beautiful gardens, large parklands, and even city areas. In 2011, over two million people visited these sites every year. The group works closely with the government of New South Wales. Its main boss reports to the Department of Planning and Environment. The group also reports to the Minister for the Arts. This minister is responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales, which makes the laws for the state.
How Museums of History NSW Started
The journey of Museums of History NSW began in 1980. Back then, it was called the Historic Houses Trust. It was set up by a law called the Historic Houses Trust Act of 1980. Its first job was to look after two famous old homes: Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House.
Over the years, the Trust grew a lot. It started caring for more and more historic places. Now, it looks after 12 houses, gardens, and museums across New South Wales. It also has a huge collection of over 48,000 catalogued items from these sites.
In 2013, the Historic Houses Trust changed its name to Sydney Living Museums. This new name helped to show that it was a modern group looking after many different types of properties. It also highlighted its important role for people today and in the future. Then, in 2023, Sydney Living Museums joined with the State Archives and Records Authority. This merger created the new Museums of History NSW, bringing even more history under one roof.
Historic Places You Can Visit
Before Museums of History NSW was formed in 2023, Sydney Living Museums managed many interesting sites. Here are some of the main places:
| Property | Image | Year Acquired | Year Opened | What it is |
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| Vaucluse House, Wentworth Road, Vaucluse | .jpg) |
1980 | 1980 | Museum |
| Elizabeth Bay House, Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay |  |
1980 | 1980 | Museum |
| Elizabeth Farm, Alice Street, Rose Hill |  |
1984 | 1984 | Museum |
| Meroogal, Cnr West & Worrigee Streets, Nowra | 1985 | 1988 | Museum | |
| Rouse Hill Estate, Rouse Hill | .jpg) |
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 | _-_Sydney,_NSW_(7889996040).jpg) |
1990 | 1991 | Museum |
| Museum of Sydney, Cnr Philip & Bridge Streets, Sydney |  |
1990 | 1995 | Museum |
| Susannah Place Museum, The Rocks, Sydney |  |
1990 | 1993 | Museum |
| 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 |
