Stories & Histories

Our houses and museums are packed to the rafters with stories of all kinds, and there are more being uncovered and discovered all the time.

Playing our song

Making music at Sydney Living Museums

Music offers a unique window into our past, and the stories and collections of Sydney Living Museums’ properties contain compelling clues about the music played and enjoyed by earlier generations.

Find out more about music at SLM

WW1: stories from our museums

These stories explore the impact of World War I on the people connected to the historic houses and places managed by Sydney Living Museums.

Often poignant and sometimes heartbreaking, the stories reveal combatants, pacifists, patriotic fundraisers and anti-war activists, explore broader narratives of patriotism and expressions of jingoism, and touch on the aftermath of war and the memorialisation of those who enlisted.

Visit the WW1: stories from our museums website

Street photography

During the mid-20th century, commercial street photographers were a familiar sight on Sydney’s streets, capturing everyday people as they strode by or stopped to pose.

Read the stories behind our current Street Photography exhibition and learn more about the remarkable acquisition of a collection of 5000 street snaps which provides a lively and revealing record of one Sydney street in 1950 and offers a rare glimpse through the street photographer’s lens.

Start reading about street photography.

The Cook & the Curator

Here at Sydney Living Museums we love our food!

For years we’ve enjoyed sharing our kitchens and vegie gardens and running special food programs for children and adults alike. The Cook and the Curator blog is just one way we’ll share our stories, places and recipes with you – so look out for upcoming events and programs.

Plant your history

In the Plant your history blog, Sydney Living Museums’ gardening staff and curators share their knowledge and observations about the gardens at SLM.

From basic plant information, gardening techniques and tips, through historic versus contemporary understanding of gardens, to what’s currently in bloom at our sites, they have plenty of insights for you.