Why support Sydney Living Museums?
As a unique agency tasked with preserving, conserving and maintaining heritage properties in NSW, fundraising allows us to develop aspirational and inspirational public programs, acquire objects of national significance, add to our collections, develop educational programs, and put on community events.
By supporting Sydney Living Museums you are contributing to the collective cultural and creative enrichment of our society. We are inspired by the passion and energy of our supporters, and we value all your contributions to our projects.
Our cultural institutions are our societies' collective memory banks, and supporting them in this era of rapid change is more important than ever before.
Edward Simpson
SLM supporter
What can your financial gift achieve?
It conserves and protects our heritage sites for current and future generations.
It helps us to provide educational programs that bring history and heritage to life for over 65,000 schoolchildren each year.
It connects our visitors to the Aboriginal voices and experiences of country at our sites.
It enables us to share our places and their stories in ways that enrich the cultural experiences of local, national and international visitors.
It grows and strengthens our collections and shares our history through research, scholarship and digitisation.
We see it as an imperative to include all in our shared history and provide our students with the opportunity to gain a diversity of lived experiences so that they are better equipped to function effectively in our society.
Teacher, Marayong Public School
on the Unlocking Heritage education program
What areas can you support?
Houses & Museums
Sydney Living Museums manages 12 historic sites and cares for 38 hectares of land and 41 buildings, including several of the earliest surviving colonial buildings in Australia.
Your gift will help us conserve the unique houses and museums which reflect the astonishing development of Sydney with projects such as the replacement of the 19th century drapery at Vaucluse House.
Education
Students are active participants in SLM’s outstanding range of Curriculum-based education programs that are conducted within our significant museums, historic houses and gardens to provide an authentic historical context.
Our Sponsor a Sleepover campaign is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for children from disadvantaged primary schools in rural and regional NSW to visit Sydney and experience a Convict Sleepover at the UNESCO World Heritage‑listed Hyde Park Barracks Museum.
Research
Research helps us to adapt our museums and houses with a fusion of contemporary use and historical interpretation. Future generations will learn about the past through the research we do and the knowledge we glean. Your contribution enables us to invest in unique research in the history and heritage of Australia, such as The Dowling Music Project.
Funds are also used to digitise images which are made available to the public through our pictures catalogue.
Collections
The custodians of many unique pieces, your gift allows Sydney Living Museums to purchase items of national importance as well as acquire rare books and other items.
The Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection houses the largest collection of interior and garden items including architectural pattern books, photos, catalogues, soft furnishings and trimmings, personal papers and manuscripts, pictures, photographs, books, periodicals and oral histories and more.
Donate to Sydney Living Museums
Donate online today
Individual donations are crucial to the future growth and preservation of our unique portfolio of 12 historic houses and museums.
Join the Heritage Housekeepers
Donations of $1000 help us to carry out vital heritage conservation work on our 12 sites.
Join the Governors’ Circle
Gifts of $5000 or more will make a positive and significant impact on the future of our 12 historic sites.
Become a Custodian
Gifts of $10,000 or more will make a powerful impact on a focus area of your choice.
Sydney Living Museums understands the dynamic nature of house museums and presents them to the public in an enticing way.
Penelope Seidler AM
Architect, SLM Trustee and Governors’ Circle member
Contact us
We are happy to discuss your ideas, feedback and thoughts on fundraising campaigns. If you would like to have a confidential discussion, please contact:
Development & Fundraising
T: 02 8239 2273
E: foundation@slm.com.au
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