Museums of History NSW

Museums of History NSW is a statutory body of the government of New South Wales that is responsible for historic sites, state collections and archives in New South Wales, Australia. In 2023, the former State Archives and Records Authority was merged with Sydney Living Museums (formerly known as Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales) to form MHNSW. The sites include various houses, gardens, parklands and urban spaces. In 2011, its sites attracted over two million visitors each year.

The chief executive of the former Sydney Living Museums, called Executive Director, was responsible to the Department of Planning and Environment cluster. The Trust reported to the Minister for the Arts. Ultimately the minister is responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.

History
The Historic Houses Trust was established under the Historic Houses Trust Act 1980 and originally charged with the running of Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House. Since then, the Trust has expanded to care for 12 houses, gardens and museums in New South Wales. The Trust also looks after over 48,000 catalogued objects across all of the sites. In 2013, the Historic Houses Trust launched its new identity as Sydney Living Museums to refresh and unify its diverse range of properties and highlight its role and relevance for current and future generations. In 2023, Sydney Living Museums merged with the State Archives and Records Authority to form Museums of History NSW.

Sites
Prior to the 2023 establishment of Museums of History NSW, Sydney Living Museums managed the following sites: