Susannah Place: Sydney’s Historic Terrace Homes & Working-Class Museum

Susannah Place in The Rocks, Sydney, is a preserved 1844 terrace housing complex turned museum, showcasing over 150 years of working-class life, adaptations, and history. It offers authentic insights into past residents' lives and a unique tour experience.

Situated in The Rocks, Sydney’s earliest neighborhood, the 4 modest terrace homes that compose Susannah Place were constructed in 1844 by Irish immigrants. For over 150 years, the row housed more than 100 functioning course families varying from the households of Greek shopkeepers to Norwegian sailors.

Plan Your Visit

House access is by assisted trip just. Tours begin at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. Please check excursion times and schedule before arrival. Tour prices are AUD20 for Adults, AUD10 for youngsters, and totally free for kids under 5. For Giving in and Galleries of Background NSW participants, the tour is AUD16.

Similarly traditionally beneficial are the adaptations and developments made by residents over the years, on show in each of the 4 residences. House access is by assisted tour only.

From Homes to Museum: A History of Preservation

Having endured a bubonic plague break out, the resulting shanty town clearances, and the hazard of gentrification, Susannah Area stayed fairly unmodified and intact. In 1987, the New South Wales Historic Houses Count on collaboration with the Sydney Cove Authority, started conservation service the balcony. After the last citizens moved out in 1990, significant remedial work was undertaken in 1992, after which the residential or commercial properties were handed over to the count on, who consequently transformed the terrace houses into a museum.

Currently one of minority 18th century structures staying in The Rocks, Susannah Location’s worth lies not just with the antiquity of being the oldest standing functioning course homes in Sydney. Just as traditionally beneficial are the adjustments and advancements made by residents for many years, on program in each of the 4 residences. Testimony to allow history and its flaws tell the tale.

After the last homeowners relocated out in 1990, major remedial work was taken on in 1992, after which the buildings were handed over to the trust, who ultimately converted the balcony residences right into a museum.

Authentic Historical Recreations

Unlike several modern heritage websites which are renovated to dazzling levels of polish, the Susannah Area Gallery has actually peeled back the layers of the different residences, showing them as photos in time from multiple unique periods. Discolored wallpaper and stripped paint give an authentic background, while donated things from previous lessees provide decor, all providing understandings right into the living problems of then-residents.

Number 58 stays the same from when the last resident left in 1974. Number 60’s kitchen recreates scenes from the 1930s, based off memories from the grandchildren of the then-tenant. The leisure of the corner shop at 64 Susannah Area, which ran continually from 1844 to 1935, has actually been set in the 1910s-1920s, using oral histories from the storekeepers’ son, with period ideal things stocked on the racks.