Cat 11/04/2018

The Fairfield City Museum and Gallery

Fairfield City Museum and Gallery

Fairfield City Museum & Gallery 

Hunting down and visiting secret little Sydney places is one of my favourite things to do. There are so many secret spots in Sydney and I love when I come across one that I haven’t been to before, that is FREE, interesting and unusual.  And The Fairfield City Museum & Gallery is one of these.

This little nugget of fun is managed by Fairfield City Council, in conjunction with Arts NSW, and it offers a blend of history and art.

Situated on old Council Chambers, the Fairfield City Museum & Gallery is essentially divided into two key parts – the Vintage Village of Fairfield and the exhibition spaces. 

The Vintage Village Fairfield

The Vintage Village of Fairfield is basically a recreated village of old Fairfield. It includes a collection of buildings – some are original whilst others have been reconstructed based on what the building would have looked like.

There is the old Victoria Street School, which is a 1940’s school room complete with wooden desks, quill pens, dated world maps and a chalk board. There is also a slab hut, Caversham Cottage, a blacksmith shop, the Biz Newspaper office and Wheatley’s General Store.

Out the front of each building visitors can read about the history of the building and its significance to the Fairfield area.

Soak up the history of the real life buildings and displays

I especially love that that ambience of the Fairfield City Museum and Gallery village is built up by the meticulous attention to detail that has gone into making the buildings really feel old worldly. An old shoe, a lunch pail, old groceries, and even a hay shed full of old rural and farm instruments.

The attention to detail creates an old world feeling

Galleries

There are two key gallery spaces. The main exhibition hall, which is known as the Stein Gallery, as well as space located within the 1913 museum building (which also houses the museums reception).

Exhibitions change every six weeks, make sure you check out the exhibition program before visiting to make sure you make the most of your time whilst at the museum.

History of Fairfield City Museum and Gallery

Until 1920, the building was used as the Council Chambers of the then Smithfield and Fairfield Council. That year the Council found a new home in the commercial centre of Fairfield and the building found new landlords, James and Florence Morris and their daughter Maisie. The house was in their hands until 1980 when the last of the Morris family – Maisie – passed away. Before she died, Maisie made sure her wishes were known that she wanted the house to be transformed into a museum. And in 1983 her wish was granted with the opening of the Fairfield City Museum & Gallery.

Hot Tip

The museum can provide a $5.00 devonshire morning tea for groups – bookings are essential!

Five reasons to visit Fairfield City Museum and Gallery

  1. Learn about the history of Fairfield and the surrounding area
  2. Enjoy a hands on experience (both adults and children)
  3. See fascinating art exhibitions
  4. Enjoy free tea and coffee (donation appreciated)
  5. Sit and enjoy a moment in the museums tranquil courtyard.

Freedays summary of Fairfield City Museum and Gallery

  • Entry: Free (donations appreciated)
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Wheelchair friendly: Yes (some areas only)
  • Free carparking: Limited free parking on site but street parking available
  • Free BBQ facilities: No
  • Time to spend here: 1 hour (unless you are having lunch)
  • Food available: No
  • Address: 634 The Horsley Drive, Smithfield NSW 2164 (entry via Oxford Street Smithfield)
  • Further details: Visit Fairfield City Museum and Gallery directory listing

More free things to do

After exploring the museum why not:

 

 

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