- Lighting
More lights on The Mint
New LED strip lighting has been installed under the centre plinth and against the base of the old Coining Factory building to provide lighting onto the pathways and sandstone walls. A spotlight has also been mounted to the Coining Factory’s saw-tooth roof to project a carefully cropped beam of light onto the suspended balcony on the back of the Rum Hospital building.
The upgrade improves both the visual presentation of the courtyard and accessibility by providing better lighting across the access way.
The lighting is expected to be a popular feature for venue hire. Previously when lighting has been required in the courtyard the venues staff have had to manually install and remove lights and snake extension cords through doors and windows to power them.
With works in the courtyard now completed our attention has turned to the lighting on the Rum Hospital front façade.
The verandahed front of the building faces onto Macquarie Street and, along with the Hyde Park Barracks and Sydney Hospital buildings, is part of one of the most significant streetscapes in Australia.
Both floors of the Rum Hospital have existing flood lights positioned behind the capitals of each of the columns to light the building’s façade. However, the existing 500 watt halogen lamps throw a fairly poor quality light and consume an enormous amount of electricity.
This week staff from our Heritage Team did an initial test of some alternative LED flood lights and wall washers. By replacing the existing lamps with LED lights we will be able to reduce the power consumption by a factor of up to 40 times while significantly improving the presentation of the building.

New Mint courtyard lighting
Newly installed lighting in the courtyard at The Mint.

New Mint courtyard lighting
The back of the Rum Hospital building and The Mint courtyard, with new lighting installed.

New Mint courtyard lighting
View of The Mint courtyard, newly lit, with bar area in foreground.

New Mint courtyard lighting
Looking back towards Coining Factory, auditorium and bar, with Sydney Hospital behind, at The Mint.

New Mint courtyard lighting
New lighting in The Mint courtyard, looking down from Rum Hospital building.

New Mint courtyard lighting
The Mint Courtyard and buildings with newly installed lighting.

Light testing 1
Testing new lighting options on the Rum Hospital building at The Mint.

Light testing 2
Testing lighting options on the verandah of the Rum Hospital building at The Mint.
Culture Up LateFriday 11 December 2020
This summer Sydney Living Museums will join other major arts and cultural institutions for Culture Up Late, a NSW Government initiative aimed at revitalizing Sydney’s cultural life.
School holidays
Summer 2021: opening hoursMonday 7 December 2020
Explore our museums and make the most of your summer holidays.
Rouse Hill Estate
Play along with us: House Music at Your HouseMonday 17 August 2020
We invite you to join us in a new musical experiment, bringing the music of the 19th century into the 21st century. We’ve delved into the hundreds of popular songs that survive in the collection at Rouse Hill Estate and we’ve also asked some brilliant musicians to help you explore these pieces of music from their homes and in our historic houses.
Membership
Summer Membership Offer Friday 6 December 2019
This summer, we're excited to offer a 20% saving on membership, giving you unlimited entry to our historic houses, museums and exhibitions.