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About the NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education YouTube | NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education (2:41min) | Video transcript | Alternate video link
About the NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education
About the NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education
The NSW Schoolhouse Museum is housed in the first school buildings of North Ryde Public School on Wallumedegal Country in Sydney, NSW. The first schoolroom was built in 1877 and opened in January 1878 for 45 students of varying ages. Extra rooms were built in 1873 and 1910.
The Schoolhouse Museum collects and preserves objects relating to the history of primary level public education in NSW. The museum is a popular site for school excursions and is open to the public by appointment.
The images below give a glimpse of the restored classrooms furnished with original public school furniture items and freshly painted in our original colours.
The video provides a short narrated tour.
Building exteriors
Building exteriors
1877 building, 1893 timber veranda addition and 1910 double room addition on far right.
Rear view of 1910 addition on left, 1893 room in centre and 1877 schoolroom on right.
Rear of 1877 building showing ship's tank, veranda and the arched entrance. The roof was originally timber shingles.
Circa 1950s timber demountable building relocated to the North Ryde Public School site. These demountable buildings were used in schools from the 1920s.
1877 schoolroom
1877 schoolroom
Interior of 1877 schoolroom with long tom desks, bench seats and blackboard on easel. This was North Ryde Public School's first schoolroom, now the NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education.
Infants gallery in 1877 schoolroom with bench seats on the stepped floor.First Class students sat in the infants gallery. Second to Fifth Class students sat at the long toms.
1910 classrooms
1910 classrooms
Interior of southern 1910 classrooms with double seats and desks and blackboard painted on wall. Now the NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education.
Interior of northern 1910 classrooms with infants double desks and tables. Now the NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education.
1950s classroom
1950s classroom
Interior of 1950s demountable classroom with moveable timber desks and chairs and timber blackboard attached to wall. Now the NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education.
Interior of 1950s demountable classroom with moveable timber desks and chairs and wall maps. Now the NSW Schoolhouse Museum of Public Education.
Think and wonder
Think and wonder
How has school furniture changed over time?
How has the location of desks changed over time?
How have blackboards changed over time?
What has remained the same over time?
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands of people using this site. Is, always was, always will be – Aboriginal land.
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