Sydney's Living Museums

Good morning My Dear Readers.

We started off today with some great plans.

Above The centrepiece of Hyde Park is the Archibald Fountain. The fountain was designed by François-Léon Sicard and bequeathed by J. F. Archibald in 1932 in honour of Australia's contribution to World War I in France. - Wikipedia

Plan A. Was either go to the zoo or the Australian Museum. We decided on the museum as it was only just next door and I haven't been there for over 20 years and Graham has never been. 

ITS CLOSED for renovations to reopen mid 2020!!!

Plan B. "Lets go to the Hyde park Barracks instead" says Kim. 

(I haven't been there for over 20 years and Graham has never been- 

can you see a theme developing  here).

ITS ALSO CLOSED for renovations to reopen mid 2020!!!

So... We went to the old Mint building where neither of us had been before.

This is one of the oldest buildings in Sydney and was a working mint until 1936 when they opened the new Mint in Canberra.  Then it got all abused and rundown by those neglectful Public Servants  as it became government offices. It was restored in the late 1970's.

The Sydney Mint in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is the oldest public building in the Sydney central business district. Built between 1811 and 1816 as the southern wing of the Sydney Hospital, it was then known as the Rum Hospital. In 1854 a mint was established on the site with the hospital building used to house mint staff as well as providing a residence for the Deputy Mint Master. A coining factory was built at the rear. Both of these structures have exceptional heritage significance and have been associated with major events in the colonial history of New South Wales.
source- Wikipeadia

 

Then after a spot of shopping we headed to The Museum of Sydney.

They currently have The Songs of Home exhibition, which explores the music for the first 70 years of the colony of Sydney.

 They give you a headset so you can listen to the tunes as you walk around.

And below! - we have come a full circle today. Here is an early painting of Hyde Park, with the Rum Hospital (The Mint) and the Hyde Park Barracks clearly visible.