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The Rocks Discovery Museum has been established to treasure the tales of the Rocks region which remains steeped in history as a witnessed to the growth and evolution of European settlement in the erstwhile Sydney. The museum is today one of the most prominent heritage sites of Sydney as it houses a vast store of archaeological materials to narrate the history of the Rocks. The museum is actually a part of the Sydney Harbor Foreshore Authority’s attempt to maintain and promote the historic precinct. With its store of artifacts, the museum speaks of a history that spans the native landowners of the area, and how they shared their land with the first European settlers. The Rocks embodies the story of the traders and sailors who encroached on the land and moves on to narrate the tumultuous union protests of the 1970s. The museum is operated from a 1850s sandstone warehouse which holds in its three floors the richness of the area as it evolved through various phases. The Rocks Discovery Museum seeks to hold up its story through a vast range of images and excavated artifacts. The museum is equipped with touch screens and audio visual display gadgets to ensure an interactive and enlightening experience. Exhibitions: The Rocks Discovery Museum features four permanent exhibitions with contributions from the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council. The displays here trace the identity and evolution of the land as the settlers struggled to adapt to the native Australia.
The exhibitions featured are- - Warrane studies the Cadigal people and their ties with native environment in an era when the European encroachers had not yet set their foot in. A fabulous audio visual presentation shows the genesis and development of the Sydney basin from the small river that ran 50,000 years back to the harbor as it stands today. - Colony is an exhibition to traces the early years of settlement in Australia. From various excavated objects and a touch screen display, the exhibition narrates the lives of the natives, exiles and settlers post 1788. - Port is the story of the Rocks as it emerged as a major port from an essentially convict township. With an interactive Byrne family tree timeline, this exhibition sketches a 19th century town bustling with people from all walks of life. - Transformations relates the attempted transformation of the Rocks. The exhibition captures footages and documents to show how the local residents had curbed the attempts to demolish the historic buildings and wipe out the traits of the first colonial settlement. Other information: The Rocks Discovery Museum offers special programs to introduce the children to the identity and heritage of the aboriginal culture. With special sessions and tours, the Rocks Discovery Museum is an authentic place for discovering the charm of the Rocks. The museum remains open everyday from 10 am to 5 pm. The building on Kendall Lane can be reached by bus train or ferry.
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