Free ways to discover Sydney's history, public art and architecture
The Sydney Culture Walks app is your guide to the city’s rich cultural landscape with hidden laneways, public art, heritage buildings and First Nations stories.
History
62 posts
Heroes of the Archives
From city staff to passionate citizens, discover the people who safeguarded Sydney’s history.
Things to do during NAIDOC Week in Sydney
Here are our picks of events honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 5 to 12 July.
Inside Sydney’s story: newly digitised collection shows a city in transition
More than 46,000 newly digitised records reveal disease prevention, growth and change at the turn of the 20th century.
Capturing the changing face of Sydney
For the Australian Heritage Festival, dive into the City of Sydney Archives and explore how the area has transformed since the early 20th century.
What to do at Heritage Festival
Enjoy free talks, walks and hands-on workshops celebrating Sydney’s history.
What to do in Sydney this April
Fresh festivals, performances and exhibitions to add to your calendar.
5 walks to discover the best of the city
Uncover the layers of streets and stories in the Sydney Culture Walks app.
Trace the currents of Sydney’s past for History Week
The ebb and flow of time told through our city’s waterways.
5 things you can discover in the City Archives
We keep more than one million records about Sydney dating from the 19th century. International Archives Week is the perfect time to explore them.
Discover Sydney’s stories with free exhibitions
Step into the past, present and future of our city
Hidden in plain sight: revealing the overlooked stories of Sydney’s inner suburbs
Shining a light on the untold stories of our local area.
Sydney's lesser-known war memorials
Some quiet corners in our city carry the memory of Australians who served in the armed forces.
On the road to justice: remembering the Freedom Ride
Four photographs from the exhibition at 119 Redfern Street.
Rare photos shine a light on pride
The people, parties and parades that made LGBTIQA+ Sydney from the disco era to the fight for marriage equality in the 21st century.
Timeless treasures and the master who keeps them ticking
For History Week, we unveil the stories behind Sydney’s most beloved clocks and the skill that preserves their legacy.
At the movies: Sydney's love affair with cinemas
From grand picture palaces to cineplex chains, take a front row seat to the story of our theatres from the silver screen's first century.
In pictures: Sydney’s public restrooms in the early 1900s
To celebrate World Toilet Day, we step back a century to explore the early days of public sanitation in our area.
Titus Grenyer ignites the future of the Sydney Town Hall organ
Meet the 25-year-old organist keeping historic traditions alive with a modern outlook
Support and nurture through culture and dance
Jodie Welsh, founder and artistic director of Brolga Dance Academy, looks back at the building blocks of her life.
Voices from the past come to life during History Week
Explore the fascinating interviews from the City of Sydney’s oral histories collection
I call myself a story catcher
Michelle Blakeney looks back at her childhood and the importance of documenting her people.
Growing up on The Block
Lindsay Williams looks back on the strong Aboriginal community created in Redfern.
Sydney: a history of cycling through the decades
We look in the archives to explore how Sydney developed a love for cycling from the 19th century onwards.
A council at war: World War 1 in Sydney
As we commemorate Anzac Day, we look in our archives to explore the involvement of Sydney Municipal Council in World War 1 and the war’s aftermath.
7 ways to have a fun day out in Pyrmont
Ideas for an interesting visit to one of Sydney’s most unique suburbs.
8 Sydney Santas from the past
Sydney Santas weren’t always jolly. Many of them were eccentric, grumpy and others downright scary!
In conversation: Preserving Sydney’s industrial heritage one brick kiln at a time
What happens when you mix curiosity, camaraderie and mud.
In pictures: Sydney mourns Queen Elizabeth II
Floral tributes and flags at half-mast marked the death of Her Majesty.
In pictures: Queen Elizabeth II in Sydney
To mark the passing of Her Royal Highness, we look back at her visits to our city.
