A Place in The Rocks (2007) – $20,000

This special publication takes us on a journey through The Rocks from its early colonial beginnings, along its streets and into the often overlooked everyday lives of ordinary people.

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales was pleased to provide funds for the Museum of Sydney's landmark acquistion of Possession Island by the highly acclaimed contemporary artist Gordon Bennett. The acquisition was funded through the Museum of Sydney Appeal which raised almost $1 million between 1994 and 1999.

The Foundation assisted the refurbishment of the museums storage loft to facilitate the conservation, digitisation and research of the forensic photography archive.

The foundation has committed to conserving the Rouse Hill and Farm potting shed.

Underground Water Tank, Meroogal (2007) – $5,000

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust assisted with the funding to reconstruct the underground water tank at Meroogal during 2006. The ‘well’, in conjunction with a small tank, supplied water to the property for a number of years, but had subsided into the ground periodically up until 2005. The solution aimed to make the current structure safe while appearing historically accurate. The reconstructed dome closely resembles the structure as it appears in early photographs. Modern pumping equipment has been installed in the tank, making the water stored in it available for use on the Meroogal garden. Plans are also in place to rebuild the small tank that once serviced the upstairs bedrooms and later the tenants’ kitchen.

Butler's dresser, Vaucluse House (2007) – $10,000

A six bay dresser for the Vaucluse House butler’s pantry is being constructed in accordance with the evidence of the Government Architect’s plan of Vaucluse House, 1910 and a drawing by Clive Lucas. The dresser’s proportions and details have been copied from the original Wentworth dresser against the enclosed servant’s stairs in the kitchen. Its painted finish will be based on evidence found in the pantry, kitchen or housekeeper’s room. The construction of the dresser will assist with the accuracy in the collection and presentation of Vaucluse House.

Special frames, Grand Tour collection (2006) – $10,000

Special frames were purchased to preserve images the Rouse family of Rouse Hill estate purchased from professional photographers during their tours of Europe through the 19th century. This specific collection focuses on their travels in 1868-69, 1874-76 and 1878-88. The images have suffered from cracking, bending and tearing over their long history. To preserve them they have been sink mounted into alkaline-buffered boards and covered with buffered paper and window mounts. These frames help to conserve the images for generations to come and in turn the images help to present Europe the way the Rouse family witnessed it during their travels.

Kitchen garden shed & rainwater tank, Vaucluse House (2006) – $15,000

The new kitchen garden shed provides storage space for tools adjacent to the kitchen garden allowing greater cultivation efficiency. A long, central workbench offers an accessible space for working on and displaying produce. The new rainwater tank assists with the kitchen garden’s irrigation. These additions will help the caretakers of the garden in their efforts to cultivate it and ensure that their unique collection of plants and produce is not lost. The shed and tank also complements the beauty and archaeological authenticity of the garden.

Joseph Lycett book (2005) – $30,000

The HHT produced the book Joseph Lycett: convict artist which accompanied the exhibition of the same name at the Museum of Sydney. This exhibition was the first major survey of this very important artist.

Click here for a list of the major Lycett book donors

Audiovisual equipment, The Mint Auditorium (2005) – $150,000

The Mint Auditorium is adjacent to and complements The Mint’s historic buildings while offering an air-conditioned facility with the latest audiovisual equipment including: XGA data projection, 10ft x 8ft motorised screen, webcasting, video conferencing, ADSL2+ high speed internet connection including wireless, lecturn & microphone, laptop, DVD/VHS player, electronic whiteboard, flip charts, 35mm slide projector and 68cm monitor.

Locker collection (2004) – $40,000

Over 45 years, Adaminaby farmer, Neville Locker built up an exceptionally rare collection of colonial, convict, police and prison artefacts. The collection was so significant the HHT felt it had no option but to purchase it to prevent it from being broken up. A dinner was held at Hyde Park Barracks for the legal fraternity in aid of the purchase of the collection.

Wasmuth portfolio (2003) – $42,000

A dinner was held at Harry and Penelope Seidler’s apartment in support of the acquisition of a rare copy of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wasmuth portfolio, which was given and personally inscribed by Wright in 1914 to Australian journalist and publisher Captain George Taylor.

Drawings of Hyde Park Barracks (2003) – $12,000

The pen and ink drawing of the plan and elevation of the Hyde Park Barracks buildings by Louis-Claude de Saules de Freycinet, Drawing of Hyde Park Barracks 1819, is one of the earliest surviving records of the Barracks and one of the earliest architectural drawings made in Australia.

Wentworth Portraits (2003)  – $86,000

A number of Wentworth family portraits were acquired in 2003 from the late William Charles Wentworth. The six family images are in a variety of media and comprise a fine silhouette painted on glass of D’Arcy Wentworth senior, a portrait medallion and a later photograph of his son William Charles Wentworth of Vaucluse, two delicate Watercolours of Sarah Wentworth and one of the Wentworth daughters by the colonial portraitist William Nicholas and a photographic portrait touched with watercolour and gouache of another daughter. The paintings that are on display at Vaucluse House.

Lost City (2002) – $60,000

The Lost City display at the Museum of Sydney, 2002 explored the layers of Sydney’s history to reveal Sydney of the 1880s and 1890s through a theatrical presentation using sound, film, images and objects. The centrepiece of the display was a model streetscape of King St revealing a lost city of trades, shops, architecture and entertainment.  This acquisition was funded through the Museum of Sydney Appeal which raised almost $1 million between 1994 and 1999.

Governor Macquarie's writing desk (2002) – $19,500

With the generous assistance of Macquarie Private Bank, the Foundation was able  to take advantage of a rare opportunity of acquiring and returning to Australia, Governor Macquarie’s writing desk.

Vaucluse near Sydney (2001) – $4,200

This watercolour painting by F L Fisher documents the verandah and garden of Vaucluse House in 1875. It is of historical interest as garden details previously thought to be 20th century additions are clearly shown in the work. The artwork is displayed at Vaucluse House.

Elizabeth Bay House from Darling Point (2001) – $55,000

Elizabeth Bay House from Darling Point is of historical interest as it depcits a hidden view of Elizabeth Bay House in 1838. This watercolour was created by Conrad Martens, and is one of many views of Elizabeth Bay House which Martens depicted. This special watercolour is on display in Elizabeth Bay House.

First Fleet ships (2001) – $70,000

These models constitute a rare set of ships not normally attempted by model builders or commercial model building firms. The makers of the models, Lynne and Laurie Hadley spent nine years of intensive research into original plans, drawings and British archival documents before embarking on building them. Each ship is built on a 1:48 scale, from Western Red Cedar on Syrian Cedar.

Conrad Martens Elizabeth Bay House painting (1998) – $55,000

Following a successful appeal, the HHT acquired this watercolour, Elizabeth Bay House from Darling Point 1838 by Conrad Martens. It is now on display at Elizabeth Bay House.