Sydney may love its harbour - but how much do Sydneysiders know about the history of their treasured waterways?
City of Sydneys History Week 08 will unlock centuries of stories with free public talks, short films, photographs, artifacts and historic records.
The Waters Edge on Saturday 6 September, 11am to 4pm, at Customs House in Circular Quay, will let people explore some of the untold stories of Sydneys waterfront.
"The Waters Edge is a great chance for people to come and learn about Sydneys greatest asset and icon, our harbour,"said City of Sydney CEO Monica Barone.
"Customs House itself is a wonderful part of the history of Sydneys waterfront, and our program of events and exhibitions will help bring the citys past to life."
History Week 08 also marks the 100th anniversary of the visit to Sydney by the US Navys Great White Fleet, an event witnessed by more than 500,000 eager spectators packed around the harbour foreshore.
The Great White Fleet was the US Navys first voyage around the globe, sent by President Theodore Roosevelt to promote a message of peace. To mark the anniversary, the USS John S. McCain arrived in Sydney harbour on 20 August 2008.
Photographs, artifacts and first hand accounts from the 1908 visit will be on exhibit in the Library, as well as throughout Customs House.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of the City of Sydneys coat of arms. Visitors to Customs House can check out the Citys jewels, including the mace and Lord Mayoral Chains of Office, in an exhibition called Crown and Anchor.
Crown and Anchor explores the symbolism behind the Citys coat of arms, comparing it with familiar contemporary examples of symbolism such as corporate logos.
A series of free public talks in the Barnett Long Room, Customs House will include:
11am Shane Phillips - CEO, Tribal Warrior Association
The Tribal Warrior Association: Aboriginal cultural tours of Sydney Harbour
12 noon Ian Hoskins - Historian, North Sydney Council
Fish they always accept most eagerly: First contacts in Sydney Harbour
1pm Christine Yeats - Manager, Public Access, State Records, & Lisa Murray - Historian, City of Sydney, The 1908 Great White Fleet: stories from the sources
2pm Margo Beasley - Historian, City of Sydney, Home life on the waterfront
3pm Shirley Fitzgerald - City Historian, City of Sydney, Ebbtide: the harbour in Sydneys history
Full program available at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/history
Sydney may love its harbour - but how much do Sydneysiders know about the history of their treasured waterways?
City of Sydneys History Week 08 will unlock centuries of stories with free public talks, short films, photographs, artifacts and historic records.
The Waters Edge on Saturday 6 September, 11am to 4pm, at Customs House in Circular Quay, will let people explore some of the untold stories of Sydneys waterfront.
"The Waters Edge is a great chance for people to come and learn about Sydneys greatest asset and icon, our harbour,"said City of Sydney CEO Monica Barone.
"Customs House itself is a wonderful part of the history of Sydneys waterfront, and our program of events and exhibitions will help bring the citys past to life."
History Week 08 also marks the 100th anniversary of the visit to Sydney by the US Navys Great White Fleet, an event witnessed by more than 500,000 eager spectators packed around the harbour foreshore.
The Great White Fleet was the US Navys first voyage around the globe, sent by President Theodore Roosevelt to promote a message of peace. To mark the anniversary, the USS John S. McCain arrived in Sydney harbour on 20 August 2008.
Photographs, artifacts and first hand accounts from the 1908 visit will be on exhibit in the Library, as well as throughout Customs House.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of the City of Sydneys coat of arms. Visitors to Customs House can check out the Citys jewels, including the mace and Lord Mayoral Chains of Office, in an exhibition called Crown and Anchor.
Crown and Anchor explores the symbolism behind the Citys coat of arms, comparing it with familiar contemporary examples of symbolism such as corporate logos.
A series of free public talks in the Barnett Long Room, Customs House will include:
11am Shane Phillips - CEO, Tribal Warrior Association
The Tribal Warrior Association: Aboriginal cultural tours of Sydney Harbour
12 noon Ian Hoskins - Historian, North Sydney Council
Fish they always accept most eagerly: First contacts in Sydney Harbour
1pm Christine Yeats - Manager, Public Access, State Records, & Lisa Murray - Historian, City of Sydney, The 1908 Great White Fleet: stories from the sources
2pm Margo Beasley - Historian, City of Sydney, Home life on the waterfront
3pm Shirley Fitzgerald - City Historian, City of Sydney, Ebbtide: the harbour in Sydneys history
Full program available at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/history
