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Have you taken a ride on Australia’s first moving walkway?
The Domain Express Footway, which connects Sydney’s Domain Parking Station with the city, opened with much fanfare in 1961. While it may seem like a humble achievement these days, back then it gained international attention as the longest moving footway in the world!
The full story of this slice of Sydney history was nearly lost, had it not been for a sharp-eyed cyclist who salvaged an old photo album from a rubbish pile in north Sydney. The album documents the construction and opening of this ‘futuristic’ footway that still conveys thousands of people each year.
We invited author and artist Vanessa Berry to write about the discarded photo album, now safe and well in the Library’s collection.
https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/underground-albums
The Domain Express Footway, which connects Sydney’s Domain Parking Station with the city, opened with much fanfare in 1961. While it may seem like a humble achievement these days, back then it gained international attention as the longest moving footway in the world!
The full story of this slice of Sydney history was nearly lost, had it not been for a sharp-eyed cyclist who salvaged an old photo album from a rubbish pile in north Sydney. The album documents the construction and opening of this ‘futuristic’ footway that still conveys thousands of people each year.
We invited author and artist Vanessa Berry to write about the discarded photo album, now safe and well in the Library’s collection.
https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/underground-albums
RT @tracymehoke: Very curious about about this @VendingLibrary #suggest #Sydney https://t.co/NwrL9K5Kby
We’re in rare book heaven!
The Library has just acquired the earliest printed illustration and description of the Southern Cross by 16th century Italian adventurer Andrea Corsali.
It was during his 1516 ocean voyage from Lisbon to Cochin (Kochi), India that Corsali observed a distinct array of stars - “a marveylous crosse”- pointing towards the South Pole. He wrote to his patron Guiliano de’ Medici with detailed news of all that he saw and experienced, including this iconic illustration.
The Medici organised for the letter to be printed and only four copies are known to exist!
The Library’s edition is now on display in the Amaze Gallery.
More information here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/news/corsalis-southern-cross-finds-permanent-home-state-library
The Sydney Morning Herald published this story: https://www.smh.com.au/national/oldest-european-map-of-southern-cross-acquired-by-state-library-providing-explorers-with-a-navigational-guide-south-20181205-p50kdc.html
The Library has just acquired the earliest printed illustration and description of the Southern Cross by 16th century Italian adventurer Andrea Corsali.
It was during his 1516 ocean voyage from Lisbon to Cochin (Kochi), India that Corsali observed a distinct array of stars - “a marveylous crosse”- pointing towards the South Pole. He wrote to his patron Guiliano de’ Medici with detailed news of all that he saw and experienced, including this iconic illustration.
The Medici organised for the letter to be printed and only four copies are known to exist!
The Library’s edition is now on display in the Amaze Gallery.
More information here: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/news/corsalis-southern-cross-finds-permanent-home-state-library
The Sydney Morning Herald published this story: https://www.smh.com.au/national/oldest-european-map-of-southern-cross-acquired-by-state-library-providing-explorers-with-a-navigational-guide-south-20181205-p50kdc.html
Join us tomorrow for a festive show and tell and discover how Christmas has been celebrated in Australia and internationally over the years, from colonial times up to the present day.
We'll be bringing out rare and beautiful examples from the collection, including original cards, books, magazines, newspapers and much more.
Book here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/christmas-in-the-collections-tickets-40770514707
We'll be bringing out rare and beautiful examples from the collection, including original cards, books, magazines, newspapers and much more.
Book here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/christmas-in-the-collections-tickets-40770514707
Have you heard about the plans to revitalise Macquarie Street?
Macquarie St was named by proclamation on 31 December 1834. Originally the road lay between Bent to King streets, but was later extended down to the shores of Sydney Harbour in 1885.
See how the historic street has changed over the years: https://www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryofnsw/sets/72157702554290061
Image: Mitchell Library in course of construction [photograph], March 1907
Macquarie St was named by proclamation on 31 December 1834. Originally the road lay between Bent to King streets, but was later extended down to the shores of Sydney Harbour in 1885.
See how the historic street has changed over the years: https://www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryofnsw/sets/72157702554290061
Image: Mitchell Library in course of construction [photograph], March 1907
We’re working on a new exhibition about one of Sydney’s forgotten cemeteries and would love your help.
Which exhibition title intrigues you the most?
Which exhibition title intrigues you the most?
What did your suburb look like 100 years ago?
We have digitised over 40,000 historic subdivision plans of 250 Sydney suburbs - from Allawah to Zetland - and they're now available on the Library's website.
See how your street, suburb and city centre were imagined by town planners of the past.
Search our collection and order an archival print from the Library Shop: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-collections-significant-collections/subdivision-plans
The Sun-Herald published this story: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/property-porn-gives-glimpse-into-the-aussie-dream-of-home-ownership-20181121-p50hfl.html
We have digitised over 40,000 historic subdivision plans of 250 Sydney suburbs - from Allawah to Zetland - and they're now available on the Library's website.
See how your street, suburb and city centre were imagined by town planners of the past.
Search our collection and order an archival print from the Library Shop: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-collections-significant-collections/subdivision-plans
The Sun-Herald published this story: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/property-porn-gives-glimpse-into-the-aussie-dream-of-home-ownership-20181121-p50hfl.html
Our team make creating the Collectors' Gallery look easy.
Miniature portraits, ceramics, coins, medals, cutlery, teacups, typewriters, convict bricks - thousands of objects from our underground stacks are now on permanent display!
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/collectors-gallery
Miniature portraits, ceramics, coins, medals, cutlery, teacups, typewriters, convict bricks - thousands of objects from our underground stacks are now on permanent display!
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/collectors-gallery
It's our final Family Fun Day for the year this Sunday 25 November... and it's going to be a barrel of laughs!
Hilarious duo, Kate and Jol Temple join us for a special humour writing workshop. We also have a bunch of fun kids crafts, activities and tours suitable for all ages!
Drop-in and we'll have you smiling all afternoon.
Details and bookings here:
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/family-fun-mile-smiles
Hilarious duo, Kate and Jol Temple join us for a special humour writing workshop. We also have a bunch of fun kids crafts, activities and tours suitable for all ages!
Drop-in and we'll have you smiling all afternoon.
Details and bookings here:
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/family-fun-mile-smiles
Mystery surrounds this striking 1940s portrait of Beryl Whiteley. While previously attributed to Beryl’s son Brett Whiteley, the artist remains unknown to this day.
See it now, alongside 300 intriguing portraits and landscapes on permanent display in our newly refurbished Dixson Galleries.
Learn more about this fascinating ‘art mystery’, as reported by ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-17/brett-whiteley-mother-beryl-at-the-centre-of-art-mystery/10472524
See it now, alongside 300 intriguing portraits and landscapes on permanent display in our newly refurbished Dixson Galleries.
Learn more about this fascinating ‘art mystery’, as reported by ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-17/brett-whiteley-mother-beryl-at-the-centre-of-art-mystery/10472524
Hawkesbury Library Service
In 1926 Milton Kent was given his pilot's licence. He went on to become one of the best known aerial photographers of his day, with his studio taking an extensive collection of images around (and above) Sydney up until the 1970s.
Guardian Australia has put together this gallery of images from our collection.
You can find more of our Milton Kent & Son Photography collection on Flickr here: flic.kr/s/aHsmnFu5ME
Guardian Australia has put together this gallery of images from our collection.
You can find more of our Milton Kent & Son Photography collection on Flickr here: flic.kr/s/aHsmnFu5ME
Join the Australian Academy of the Humanities and Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA, for the 49th Academy free public lecture - 'Turning the Level of Civilisation Up' - tomorrow (Thursday 15 Nov) at 4pm.
'ANZAC 360 clip: Love, loss and evil at Fromelles' created by Anzac Live is a new way to experience some of the stories that can be found in our First World War Diary collection.
This 360-degree vision and virtual reality app will take you to the Western Front to meet some of our diarists, like Archie Barwick, Ellis Silas and others.
You can also see the real things on display in our free exhibition UNESCO Six, which features this UNESCO Memory of the World registered #WWI collection.
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/unesco-six
This 360-degree vision and virtual reality app will take you to the Western Front to meet some of our diarists, like Archie Barwick, Ellis Silas and others.
You can also see the real things on display in our free exhibition UNESCO Six, which features this UNESCO Memory of the World registered #WWI collection.
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/unesco-six
#OnThisDay 11 November 1918
Armistice celebrations, Martin Place, Sydney
This image comes from a collection of photographs taken during the World War I peace celebrations in Sydney between 1918-1919.
See more images and read our story here:
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/armistice-and-peace
Armistice celebrations, Martin Place, Sydney
This image comes from a collection of photographs taken during the World War I peace celebrations in Sydney between 1918-1919.
See more images and read our story here:
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/armistice-and-peace
Meet the oldest winning thoroughbred in Australian history 🐎
Known as the 'Iron gelding', Jorrocks (1833-60) won every important race in Sydney at least once, winning his last at the age of 18.
His greatest racing feats were on the track at Homebush - the centre of Sydney racing at the time.
Most of his career was based in Hawkesbury and a memorial stone at the RAAF Richmond Air Base marks his grave.
See this painting by Thomas Balcombe in our new Galleries, on show as part of our Paintings from the Collection exhibition. Details here:
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/paintings-collection
Image: Old Jorrocks (Age 16), 1848, Thomas Balcombe
http://digital.sl.nsw.gov.au/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?embedded=true&toolbar=false&dps_pid=FL642900
Known as the 'Iron gelding', Jorrocks (1833-60) won every important race in Sydney at least once, winning his last at the age of 18.
His greatest racing feats were on the track at Homebush - the centre of Sydney racing at the time.
Most of his career was based in Hawkesbury and a memorial stone at the RAAF Richmond Air Base marks his grave.
See this painting by Thomas Balcombe in our new Galleries, on show as part of our Paintings from the Collection exhibition. Details here:
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/paintings-collection
Image: Old Jorrocks (Age 16), 1848, Thomas Balcombe
http://digital.sl.nsw.gov.au/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?embedded=true&toolbar=false&dps_pid=FL642900
Memories on Glass: the Macpherson family collection
A free exhibition, on show until Sunday 5 May 2019
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/memories-glass-macpherson-family-collection
A free exhibition, on show until Sunday 5 May 2019
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/memories-glass-macpherson-family-collection
This Sunday 4 November join us as we take part in Sydney Open!
Come and see how we've transformed areas never before open to the public into beautiful new spaces like our galleries and learning centre.
#sydneyisopen
Details here:
https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/sydneyopen/2018/state-library-nsw
Come and see how we've transformed areas never before open to the public into beautiful new spaces like our galleries and learning centre.
#sydneyisopen
Details here:
https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/sydneyopen/2018/state-library-nsw
Congratulations to Patricia Cornelius and Lucy Knox - winners of the 2018 Mona Brand Award and the Emerging Writer Award.
The biennial Mona Brand Award is made possible by a generous bequest to the NSW State Library Foundation from the trailblazing Australian playwright Mona Brand.
Learn more about these awards and the winners here:
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/mona-brand-award-women-stage-and-screen-writers
The biennial Mona Brand Award is made possible by a generous bequest to the NSW State Library Foundation from the trailblazing Australian playwright Mona Brand.
Learn more about these awards and the winners here:
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/mona-brand-award-women-stage-and-screen-writers
From your backyard to the world...
Local oral history collections global 🌏
We were excited to be in Orange today to announce a new partnership with four NSW Public Libraries - Central West Libraries, Wagga Wagga City Library, Wollongong City Libraries & City of Ryde - that will see some great local #oralhistory collections available for everyone to access online.
🎧 Discover these local collections on Amplify here: https://amplify.sl.nsw.gov.au
Local oral history collections global 🌏
We were excited to be in Orange today to announce a new partnership with four NSW Public Libraries - Central West Libraries, Wagga Wagga City Library, Wollongong City Libraries & City of Ryde - that will see some great local #oralhistory collections available for everyone to access online.
🎧 Discover these local collections on Amplify here: https://amplify.sl.nsw.gov.au