The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia, showcases a diverse collection of over 500,000 objects related to science and design. It hosts special exhibitions and offers activities for children, teachers, and young adults interested in engineering and robotics. The museum also has specialized research centers and a studio for multimedia artists. Admission is free for members.
The Powerhouse Museum, located in Sydney, Australia, houses a diverse collection of objects related to science and design. It is part of the Sydney Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences with the Sydney Observatory. Collection areas range from steam engines to furniture, stamps to clothing. This public museum has taken many forms since its founding in 1879, although its primary purpose has always been to showcase ideas and technologies that reflect human ingenuity in all its forms. The Powerhouse Museum has been located at Ultimo Power Station on Harris Street since March 1988 and was named after the site.
The idea of a museum dedicated to invention, technology and industry was born in 1879 after the first Australian International Exhibition. A fire destroyed most of these original displays and objects, but those that survived were given a temporary home in an agricultural hall. The collection continued to grow and was eventually moved to the power plant at Ultimo. To accommodate the museum’s collection, architect Lionel Glendenning redesigned Ultimo, adding a new building, and it opened in 1988. The Powerhouse Museum’s collection includes more than 500,000 objects, but only about 3 percent can be displayed in one given moment.
Similar to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, the Powerhouse Museum’s collection is difficult to classify or describe in general terms. Glassware, photography and jewelery mix with robot dogs, medicines and watches. Visitors can peruse a selection of vintage wools or peruse items from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The Joseph Box collection features shoes from around the world, while swimwear styles are the centerpiece of the Speedo collection. There is something for almost every interest and taste at the Powerhouse Museum and many of the exhibits are interactive.
This museum hosts special exhibitions throughout the year. Actress Audrey Hepburn’s clothing was featured at an exhibition. Other past exhibitions have focused on beer, the circus in Australia and contemporary Italian silver. Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook, singer Kylie Minogue’s clothes and Central Asian fabrics were also on display. The special exhibitions are as diverse as the museum’s permanent collection.
In an effort to highlight and generate interest in its various niche collections, the Powerhouse Museum hosts several specialized research centers. Lace researchers and aficionados can visit the Lace Study Center to peruse the museum’s collection of lace from around the world, some made as far back as the 1500s. Pre-1945 clothing is the focus of the Australian Dress Registrar Project. The museum is also a repository for Hedda Morrison’s photographs and a research library established to assist staff and outside researchers.
Education and outreach are important aspects of the Powerhouse Museum’s mission. The museum offers activities specifically aimed at children, including crafts and interactive exhibits featuring popular children’s entertainers and characters. Lesson plans and activities are also available for teachers, while young adults interested in engineering and robotics can participate in programs that aim to enhance their understanding of these fields. The museum also features a studio and workspace for video editors and other multimedia artists. Museum curators and other experts lecture on a weekly basis.
This museum welcomes school groups and tour groups. There are several casual cafes inside, and admission is free for members.
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