Primary contact
Level 21, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales 2001
Identity area
Identifier
daa/64
Authorized form of name
City of Sydney Archives
Parallel form(s) of name
Other form(s) of name
Type
- Municipal
Contact area
City Archivist
Type
Address
Street address
Level 21, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, Sydney
Locality
Sydney
Region
New South Wales
Country name
Postal code
2001
Telephone
02 9265 9618
Fax
archives@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Note
Description area
History
Geographical and cultural context
The boundaries of the City of Sydney have changed over time and it has absorbed other municipalities. To view boundary changes over time see the Council Boundaries link from the Historical Atlas at https://archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/pages/historicalatlas
Mandates/Sources of authority
Administrative structure
Officer in charge: City Archivist
Records management and collecting policies
The City Archives is responsible for managing the archives of the City of Sydney’s operations since 1842 as well as those of absorbed councils. Some records created by elected officials are also held. The Archives also manages the Sydney Reference Collection: books and journals and information folders on aspects of Sydney City history, especially the built environment. We actively seek material for inclusion in the Sydney Reference Collection and welcome donations.
This City Archives also a collecting archive, acquiring information mainly about the Sydney local government area that can support and enhance our collection. For example, we partner with some community organisations such as the Sydney Festival and the Glebe Society and manage their archives on their behalf.
Buildings
Holdings
We hold more than 12,500 shelf metres of archives relating to the City of Sydney council and people, places and events within its local government area.
Our Archives and History Resources catalogue contains over 1 million items, including photographs, development and building files, maps and architectural drawings, letters, minutes and index cards and reference books and journals. Nearly half of the items available are digitised and able to be downloaded.
Some high use series of high interest to users include:
- AS-0017, Assessment books, 1845-1949
- AS-0051, Demolition photograph books, 1900-1939
- AS-0126, Building application plans, 1909- present
- AS-0034, Town Clerks' correspondence files, 1914-1978
- AS-0028, Town Clerks' correspondence folders, 1900-1913
- AS-0026, Letters received by the Council, 1842-1899
Finding aids, guides and publications
Access area
Opening times
Open some week days by appointment. Contact the Archives for more information.
Access conditions and requirements
Advance notice (by email) of your research visit is required, so we can assess your document needs and arrange an appointment for you. Almost all original records are held offsite so we are unable to help people who arrive without an appointment. Prospective researchers are encouraged to explore the Archives & History Resources catalogue before their visit.
Accessibility
The City of Sydney Archives is wheelchair accessible.
Services area
Research services
General reference assistance available. The City of Sydney Archives has an active digitisation program with many heavily used series available through the online catalogue.
Reproduction services
Public areas
Control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Revised 12 May 2021
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Maintenance notes
Access points
Access Points
- Built Environment (Thematic area)
- Local Studies (Thematic area)
- Politics and Government (Thematic area)
- Populations (Thematic area)