Primary contact
Level 21, Town Hall House, 456 Kent Street, SydneySydney, New South Wales 2001
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.
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: