Archives Outside

For people who love, use and manage archives

Archives Outside - For people who love, use and manage archives

Category Archives: Collections in NSW

This year History Week 2012 looks at threads, fabrics and clothing…they wore what?

We’re celebrating History Week 2012 this week. This year’s theme is Threads: They wore what?!

Long before the fashionistas of today decided ‘the look’, dress was an important element of human expression. From status to style, culture to professional identity, clothes have defined us. History Week 2012 will explore the history of threads and unpick the meaning behind the wardrobes of the past.

from the History Council website

The link above takes you to the program of events on the History Council website so make sure you check to see what’s on in your area.

State Records staff have put together a new webpage called The Threads of history in the State archives:

Showcasing some of our archives made from threads and fabrics. Non-paper materials are not common in our collection and the wonderful details, colours and textures captured in these items are a beautiful sight to see.

from the State Records NSW website

Attire

Fashion sure has changed in the last 100 years. For instance this head-wear was worn by women working in a cannery in 1925.

Cannery head-wear. Women working in the factory wore this type of cap.This cap was found in a Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area file – NRS 14511

Non-clothing cloth

And on a non-clothing, but nevertheless threaded theme, there is this beautiful watercolour-on-silkscreen plan of the town of Leeton, 1913. The plan was designed by architect Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin prepared coloured sketches on silk.

Silkscreen Plan of Leeton, 1913 [Document No 224]Silkscreen Plan of Leeton, 1913. The plan was designed by architect Walter Burley Griffin; the plan was prepared by his brother-in-law, architect Roy Alstan Lippincott, and; Walter’s wife Marion Mahony Griffin prepared the coloured sketches on silk

What else have you seen online for History Week 2012?

Can you help “Picture Coffs Harbour”? [Australian World War I “Battalion” 1916]

Our colleagues at Picture Coffs Harbour are seeking your assistance identifying this photograph.

Australian World War 1 "battalion" in England, 1916

Much Larger version available on Flickr!

It was donated to Coffs Harbour Regional Museum some time ago. They think it is possibly an Australian Field Artillery Brigade from either the 1st or 5th Division Artillery, or the Reserve Artillery Brigade, based on research they have done. Can you help?

  • Who donated this picture to the museum?
  • Who is this group in the picture? Is it a picture of a particular battalion or regiment?
  • Can anyone identify anyone in the picture?

More about Picture Coffs Harbour

Picture Coffs Harbour is a joint project of Coffs Harbour City Library and Coffs Harbour Regional Museum, and aims to digitally preserve and improve access to historical pictures significant to the Coffs Harbour region. These pictures are drawn from the Library’s and, in particular, the Museum’s extensive collections.

Work commenced on the project in January 2008 and over a thousand records have been created to date, with team members still busy scanning and cataloguing the remainder of the photographic collections – totaling an estimated 40,000 historical photographs altogether.

Explore their site

Can you date this photograph? [unidentified building]

Now here’s a challenge, an unidentified building with no date.

There’s not a whole lot to go on with this one. A large sandstone building on the foreshores of a waterway.

Can you date this photograph?

Larger version on Flickr

Larger version on Flickr

We have many other undated photographs in Photo Investigator and on our Flickr account. If know the dates or any other interesting facts about these images please let us know.

Applications for regional internships, project assistance and movable heritage fellowships now open at Powerhouse Museum

APPLY HERE

Applications are now open for individuals or organisations to receive project assistance, a regional internship or a movable heritage fellowship in 2013 through the Regional Services program at the Powerhouse Museum.

Regional Internships

Regional Internships provide training and development opportunities for regional and rural cultural workers, including short courses and a project-based, four-week internship at the Powerhouse Museum. Financial assistance of up to $750 is available. Applications close 28 September 2012. Read more

Project Assistance

Project Assistance offers cultural heritage organisations across New South Wales advice and/or assistance to assist in recording, preserving and displaying their collections for the benefit of the community. Applications close 28 September 2012. Read more

Movable Heritage Fellowship

The Movable Heritage Fellowship invites tertiary students to undertake a research project on an object or group of objects in a community museum, historical society or other collecting institution. The Fellow will receive $5,000 and spend a minimum of one week at the Powerhouse Museum working with a supervisor. Applications close 1 February 2013. Read more

Any questions or need help with your application?

Contact Rebecca Pinchin, Powerhouse Museum on freecall 1800 882 092, ph (02) 9217 0220 or email rebecca.pinchin@phm.gov.au

Source: Powerhouse Museum Regional Services enews July-November 2012 

NAIDOC WEEK 2012 – “Spirit of the Tent Embassy 40 Years On”

This week is NAIDOC week. The theme is “Spirit of the Tent Embassy 40 Years On”. Here is an example of some of the fantastic material out there on the web that has been highlighted to mark the occasion.

State Records has several resources that can help you identify, access and use State archives that relate to Indigenous people.