Elizabeth Bay House. Photo © Patrick Bingham-Hall
Dining with a sensational view: welcome to Elizabeth Bay House. From the ‘Lion of Sydney’, to an artists’ squat, reception house and bedsit apartments: Elizabeth Bay House – the ‘grandest house in the colony’ – has seen a chequered and Bohemian life since it was built for the residence of Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay (1767-1848) and his family. Continue reading
Gelatin paper print photograph of Queen Victoria (detail), photographer unknown. Rouse Hill House & Farm Collection
May 24 was Queen Victoria’s birthday, later celebrated as Empire Day. To mark the occasion I’ve been looking for Victoria Sponge recipes in my nineteenth century cookbooks – to no avail. Perhaps, like many other traditions, it is not so traditional at all – at least not for its claimed origins. Continue reading
Bethany Leyshon / photo © Thomas MacRae. Artwork: A Crucifixion, Reuben Paterson, 2012, glitter and synthetic polymer paint on canvas, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, purchased NGV Contemporary, 2012 © Reuben Paterson, courtesy Gow Langsford Gallery, Auckland
I have always had a fascination with old houses and the stories they tell, so when the opportunity came up to do an internship at Sydney Living Museums’ Rouse Hill House & Farm (one of my favourite properties) – I couldn’t let it slip. Continue reading
Bright, shiny and new! Photo Scott Hill © HHT
Technology in our houses today is ever present, but it’s built-in and generally taken for granted. A light pops out of the ceiling, connected by hidden wires to a switch for example. Continue reading
A plate of Tot's lemon biscuits at Meroogal.. Photo Scott Hill © Sydney Living Museums
Our houses have been home to thousands of residents, and of course, hundreds of Mothers! For Mothers’ Day this year, Meroogal is hosting a very special afternoon tea and Mums can visit our houses and museums for free. Continue reading
A maypole at Rouse Hill House & Farm. Photo Ross Heathcote
There’s certainly a lot of activity in Sydney Living Museums this month, with an appetising menu of programs and events! May brings us Mothers’ Day with a special invitation for Mums on the day and a lovely biscuit recipe from Meroogal’s Auntie Tottie. Continue reading