Archive Research Services

Service NSW

Archive records reveal a history of the community movement to preserve significant places for all Australians.

The Trust Archive is the repository for the records of the National Trust of Australia (NSW). Established in 1945 and the first National Trust in Australia, it has been a leading organisation in the conservation movement in New South Wales. Archive records reveal a history of the community movement to preserve significant places for all Australians. Battles fought and work undertaken to save individual buildings, landscapes, cemeteries, and industrial and move-able heritage items in New South Wales can be seen in records, images and Trust publications.

Archive records of Trust managed properties contain comprehensive histories of each of these significant properties as well as the conservation, interpretation and collection management of them by The Trust.

Significant sites and places

Histories of individual sites document conservation activity and threats since 1945. Classified and many non classified sites have files. Digital copies of extensive slides and prints of most sites are available.

 

feature image

From our Archives

Students at the Fort Street Girls High School, Observatory Hill, now headquarters of the National Trust NSW.

Records available

  • the histories of properties owned or held in trusteeship by The Trust
  • conservation and preservation works on the buildings and grounds
  • the management of properties owned or held in trusteeship by The Trust
  • collections held by properties: their management and restoration
  • the contributions of committees, volunteers as well as consultants are included in files, reports, publications plans and images

Includes published and unpublished items collected or donated to The Trust for use in its work in conservation advocacy and property management. Its strengths are works based on New South Wales:

  • Local histories
  • Architectural history
  • thematic studies (cemeteries, theatres and cinemas, railways etc)
  • building conservation and renovation
  • histories of individual properties and buildings

Items are not for loan but may be accessed by appointment.

The Trust has extensive collections of images documenting its work and activities.
Historic prints of buildings and Trust properties have been collected or donated to the Archive. Various collections are accessible digitally.

Copies are available in most formats with members receiving reductions in fees.

Digital images of current events and of special collections: demolished buildings slides collection, some historic minutes and papers, some historic photographs. Digital copies of material can be supplied.

A small 16 mm moving film collection documenting work on Trust properties, various property openings and functions is held in the Archive. Currently not accessible to the public.

Accessing the Archives

Address:

National Trust Centre, Upper Fort Street, Millers Point

Open:

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm by appointment only

Phone:
(02) 9258 0128
Email:
[email protected]