Caring for our rare and precious textiles collection
The National Trust of Australia (NSW) textiles collection is held in trust for the people of NSW, for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations. It is of national significance and includes many important pieces dating from the mid-18th to the mid-20th centuries. This beautiful collection needs your urgent support so we can ensure it will be enjoyed for years to come.
Preventative conservation of this collection is a constant and ongoing commitment for which the Trust needs your help. The textile collections of the Trust are particularity fragile and require careful management. In our care are many thousands of textile items, such as dresses (including one of the biggest collections of early Australian department store labels), undergarments, bags, shoes (some from before there were left or right shoes and they were called ‘straights’) embroidery, lace and samplers and more.
Caring for the collections involves constant and methodical work to conserve and preserve.
The National Trust (NSW) collection is managed by National Trust staff and volunteers who work at the many properties. We need funds to empower these volunteers, and build the capacity of those who work with the collections through regular training and provision of professional support.
We also need to purchase shelving and develop a dedicated textile store and target ‘at-risk’ garments to preserve their condition so that they can be enjoyed again. With your support these important goals can be achieved.
Please help us with this worthwhile project to conserve a meaningful and significant collection. As a charity the Trust does not receive direct government funding; in fact all funds spent on the conservation of textiles originate from the support of the community and members like yourself!
“I see this as an amazing resource, the collection is exceptional in size with lovely connections to the local women of Parramatta and Sydney. Its importance is that it can be made accessible in the future as an educational resource.” – Rebecca Pinchin Collections Manager
Donors of $250 or more will receive an invitation to attend a special viewing of some of the more significant items in the collection.
I’d like to donate now!
