Below you’ll find a changing selection of highlights from our collection and past exhibitions, plus fascinating stories and hands-on activities for your next crafternoon session.
We hope you will check in regularly to gain inspiration and discover something new.
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Member magazine
Unlocked is filled with great articles and posted straight to your door. Check out a selection of past issues now available online.
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Kids activities
Get creative with our activities and crafts inspired by our museums and stories. Find printouts, art projects and more.
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Discover SLM
Your weekly summary of what's new, including in the kitchen and the garden. Settle in for some good long reads.
Collection highlights
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The trophy cabinet
Trophies are symbolic objects, intended for display as evidence of achievement, especially of victory in a contest of some kind. The earliest trophy in the collection is a fine silver gilt cup presented by the Duke of Northumberland in 1815 to former military officer George Johnston, the man who arrested Governor William Bligh in 1808. Explore the collection.
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Child’s play
There are a number of childrens toys within our collection including dolls owned by Kathleen Rouse, alphabet blocks, a paper cut-out doll found under the floorboards at Hyde Park Barracks, a child’s tea set at Meroogal and a spotted Indian deer pull toy at Elizabeth Farm. These prized-possessions each tell a personal story. Explore the collection.
Exhibition highlights
An Edwardian Summer
Sydney lawyer and identity Arthur Wigram Allen, a tirelessly enthusiastic photographer, was fascinated by the social and technological changes occurring during his lifetime. His talent for amateur photography produced extraordinary pictures that offer a fresh insight into the Edwardian years in Sydney. Read on.
Rooms on View: SIDA’s Exhibitions, 1953-1986
A small group of interior designers first met in December 1950 at the Woollahra home of Marion Hall Best to form a society to raise the standard of interior design in Australia. From its inception, the Society of Interior Designers of Australia (SIDA) used exhibition rooms as an effective marketing and education tool. The ‘rooms’ were each designed by an individual SIDA member as an idealised space often for a named personality. Find out more.
Lloyd Rees: Painting with Pencil 1930-36
The Brisbane born artist moved to Sydney in 1917 and made this city his home for nearly 70 years, lovingly representing many of its landscapes throughout an artistic career that stretched across the 20th century. In a series of short films we talked to the friends, family and former students of the much-loved artist and through their stories they shed a little light on the personality and philosophies of Lloyd Rees. Watch the interviews now.
Watch & listen
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Childhood at Susannah Place
Duration: 4:18
Childhood at Susannah Place
Curator Anna Cossu talks about growing up in the terraces at Susannah Place and around the streets and alleyways of the Rocks, Sydney.
Duration: 4:18
Meet the team
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Dr Penny Stannard, Head, CuratorialPenny grew up learning about the stories, memories and mysteries of her family, and the places and events that defined the artists, writers, diplomats and scientists who make up her ancestral tree. Read on.
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Dave Key, Visitor Services CoordinatorDave is committed to making all of our places welcoming environments for visitors to hear and engage with Aboriginal stories. Read on.
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Anita Rayner, HorticulturistAt Vaucluse House, you’ll find Anita in the kitchen garden fuelling her love for growing heirloom melons, curly zucchinis and enormous pumpkins. Read on.
Contact us
Membership Office
W slm.is/members
T +61 2 8072 4515
E membership@slm.com.au