Museum Archives - Page 2 of 43 - Destination's Journey

16 January 202415 January 2024

Old Government House and Parramatta Park Australia

Old Government House Parramatta Australia

Located on the banks of the Parramatta River, Old Government House is the oldest surviving public building in Australia. Additionally it is an important UNESCO World Heritage listed site, and one of 11 recognised convict sites that tell the story of Australia’s forced convict migration.

History of Old Government House

Built between 1799 and 1818 by convict labour, the house and Barracks buildings are the oldest surviving public buildings in Australia.

The Georgian house was the country residence for the first ten governors of New South Wales. The ten Governors used Old Government House as either their primary or secondary residence.

Governor Denison officially handed over the house to the care of the Parramatta Park Trust in 1855. Parramatta Park Trust leased the building for private use, and over the next 100 years it was run variously as a boarding house, school and private home.

In 1967 the House transferred to the National Trust by an act of Parliament. The house features a collection of Australian colonial furniture, displayed as it would have been when Governor Macquarie was in residence.

Current Use of Old Government House

Today, Old Government House is operated as a museum and managed by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). Only open Thursday to Sunday

Old Government House Parramatta — Government House

Parramatta Park

Covering 85 hectares, the surrounding grounds of Old Government House, known as Parramatta Park, provide a picturesque setting for walks and recreational activities.

Originally used for farming and grazing by the early settlers in the late 19th century, it was transformed into a public park by Frederick Law Olmsted, renowned for his work on New York City’s Central Park.

Historical Landmarks and Memorials

Parramatta Park is home to several historical landmarks and memorials that pay tribute to significant events, influential figures, and important moments in Australian history.

Boer War Memorial

Erected in 1904, this memorial commemorates the soldiers from New South Wales who served in the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa.

Governor Brisbane’s Bathhouse

Built in the early 19h century for Governor Brisbane, the Trustees converted it to a pavilion in 1886.

Observatory

Governor Brisbane built an observatory in the Park in 1821, in keeping with the spirit of discovery of the time. Used by explorer Thomas Mitchell’s first trigonometric survey of Australia in 1828, the transit stones, which originally supported a transit telescope, are all that remains of the observatory.

Transit stones from the observatory — Site of the observatory

For more information about Parramatta Park and its memorials, you can visit the official website: Parramatta Park.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

28 December 202313 December 2023

Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

Located in the Sydney CBD, the Nightingale Wing, Sydney Hospital, is a historical building of both medical and architectural significance. Completed in 1869, this sandstone and polychrome-brick Gothic Revival structure is the site of the first nursing school in Australia.

History

The Nightingale Wing owes its name to the iconic pioneer of nursing, Florence Nightingale. In 1868, under the request of colonial politician Henry Parkes, Nightingale sent six nurses, led by Lucy Osburn, to New South Wales to establish a nursing school. This marked a turning point in Australian healthcare, ushering in a new era of professional nursing education.

Designed by architect Thomas Rowe with input from Nightingale, the building embodied her vision for a modern and hygienic hospital environment. Featuring large windows for ample natural light, high ceilings for ventilation, and separate wards for different types of patients, the Nightingale Wing was a revolutionary design for its time.

Current Use

The Nightingale Wing is not just a historical landmark; it’s a living testament to the dedication and compassion of generations of nurses. Today, the wing houses the Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum, consisting of medical equipment, records, and artifacts that tell the story of nursing in Australia.

The museum’s collection includes everything from vintage uniforms and surgical instruments to patient records and photographs, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of healthcare practices. Visitors can also explore the historic wards and classrooms where generations of nurses learned their skills.

While no longer serving as an active hospital wing, the Nightingale Wing remains an integral part of Sydney Hospital. The collection of medical specimens is significant and are an important teaching tool. The museum itself is a popular tourist attraction, celebrating the history of nursing in Australia.

Getting There

Only a three-minute walk from Martin Place Railway Station, it’s easy to get to. Bus stops on Macquarie Street are even closer although car parks are further away and being Sydney, very expensive.

View over the courtyard — Nightingale Wing Sydney Hospital

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

14 December 202313 December 2023

Ramses the Great at the Australian Museum

Running until May 19, 2024, The Australian Museum is currently hosting an exhibition centred on the Egyptian Pharoah Ramses II. This was a great opportunity to see some of the most important artifacts from ancient Egypt, without having to leave Australia.

Featuring over 180 artifacts, this is a large exhibition that we found fascinating from beginning to end. Starting with a short video presentation covering Ramses II’s life, it then proceeds through a series of display rooms containing the exhibits. Each section also has videos playing describing the artefacts in more detail.

Additional displays covered other aspects of Ancient Egypt, with one of the most striking being Sennedjem’s outer coffin. An artist, he worked on the tombs of Ramses and his father Seti while working on his own coffin on his days off.

Amazing jewelry, mummies of cats and crocodiles, masks and weapons gave diversity to what was displayed. As usual, the last room was a gift shop, where books and souvenirs could be purchased.