24 hours of the Museum of Sydney

Shot by Chris Shain

24 hours of the Museum of Sydney

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Open Today

10AM - 5PM

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Wheelchair Accessible

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Address

Cnr Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney, NSW 2000

Phone

Museum: 02 9251 5988

The Governors Table: 02 9241 1788

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For 57 years first Government House was the centre of the social, ceremonial and political life of the colony of NSW. Today the Museum of Sydney protects the fragile remains of this deeply significant and symbolic site, and tells ongoing stories of Sydney and its people.

Old watercolour showing the harbour, foreshore area and gardens in front of first Government House. Yachts and aborigines in canoes are depicted on the water.

First Government House, Sydney by John Eyre.

A modern museum built over and around the remains of Australia’s first Government House, the Museum of Sydney celebrates the people and events that have shaped the character and soul of this city. In 1788 Governor Phillip chose this site for his official residence. It quickly became the centre of the colony’s administrative and social life, and an important focus of first contact between the Gadigal people and the colonisers. The next eight governors also lived here, and as banquets and balls, the business of government and family home merged, the public and private lives of the colony’s leading citizens played out. Today, through a diverse and changing program of exhibitions and events, the Museum of Sydney explores the stories of this city from its origins to today, while the remains of the original building can be glimpsed through glass openings in the museum forecourt and foyer.

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Exhibition: Sand in the City

News

Media release

Two exquisite botanic art exhibitions coming soonWednesday 22 June 2016

Two children in old-fashioned kitchen using implements in front of window.

Children & Family

Autumn school holiday funFriday 18 March 2016

This is a black and white portrait photograph of the head and shoulders of a man in his mid 40s

Lloyd Rees exhibition review in The AustralianTuesday 15 March 2016

This is a pencil drawing of a ship moored near a headland

New online

The splendid clipper 'Sobraon'Monday 8 February 2016

The rusting hulk of the HMAS Tingira features in several 1930s drawings of Berrys Bay by celebrated artist Lloyd Rees. Presented by Rees as a solitary, romantic figure in the serene harbour landscape, the former luxury clipper has particular resonance not only with Rees, but with one of our properties and a prominent colonial family.