Museums of History NSW facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Museums of History NSW

Museums of History NSW logo
The Mint – Headquarters of MHNSW
Agency overview
Formed	2022
Preceding	Sydney Living Museums
Jurisdiction	New South Wales
Headquarters	The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney, Australia
Employees	354 (2024)
Annual budget	A$73.6 million
Minister responsible	John Graham, Minister for the Arts
Agency executives	Bob Carr, Chair Loretta Di Mento, Deputy Chair Annette Pitman, Chief Executive Officer Scott Ellis, Chief Operating Officer Martyn Killion, Director, Collections and Executive Director, State Records NSW Danielle Toga, Director, Corporate Services Ben Alexander, Director, Commercial Services Kathryn Natoli, Director, Strategy & External Relations Rebecca Bushby, Director, Programming, Production & Audience
Parent department	Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade
Parent agency	Create NSW
Child agencies	State Records NSW Government Records Repository
Key documents	Museums of History NSW Act 2022 State Records Act 1998

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 the state's history! 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. This new organization now takes care of many amazing places. These include old houses, beautiful gardens, parks, and city areas.

History of Museums of History NSW

Museums of History NSW was formed in 2023. It brought together two important organizations. One was the State Archives and Records Authority. The other was Sydney Living Museums.

The Historic Houses Trust

The Historic Houses Trust started in 1980. Its first job was to manage Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House. Over time, the Trust grew. It began to look after 12 different houses, gardens, and museums. The Trust also cares for over 48,000 special items. These items are spread across all its sites.

Becoming Sydney Living Museums

In 2013, the Historic Houses Trust changed its name. It became Sydney Living Museums. This new name helped to show its many different properties. It also highlighted its important role for people today and in the future.

Joining Forces: MHNSW

In 2023, Sydney Living Museums merged with the State Archives and Records Authority. This merger created the new organization we know today. It is called Museums of History NSW. This means even more history is now looked after by one group.

Historic Sites and Museums

Museums of History NSW manages many interesting properties. These places help us learn about the past. They include old homes, barracks, and special museums.

Property	Image	Acquired/ assumed management	Date opened	Status
Elizabeth Bay House, Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay		1980	1980	Museum
Elizabeth Farm, Alice Street, Rose Hill		1984	1984	Museum
Hyde Park Barracks, Macquarie Street, Sydney		1990	1991	Museum
Justice & Police Museum, Circular Quay, Sydney		1990	1991	Museum
Meroogal, Cnr West & Worrigee Streets, Nowra		1985	1988	Museum
Museum of Sydney, Corner Philip & Bridge Streets, Sydney		1990	1995	Museum
Rouse Hill Estate, Rouse Hill		1987	1999	Museum
Rose Seidler House, Clissold Road, Wahroonga		1988	1991	Museum
Susannah Place, The Rocks, Sydney		1990	1993	Museum
The Mint, Macquarie Street, Sydney		1998	1998 and 2004	Offices and the Caroline Simpson Library
Vaucluse House, Wentworth Road, Vaucluse		1980	1980	Museum

See also

• National Trust of Australia (New South Wales)