Historical Houses Trust & Australia Day Celebration

Tuesday was a busy day of museums and historical sites.  The Hyde Park Barracks was a history of the colonization of Australia.  Convicts...I checked and there are a list of questionable Myers on the list of original settlers.  May check into relationships later, will return later next week and look for any Stone relations.  The living conditions were harsh to say the least, but for a quick rest on a long day of walking the hammock made of rope was refreshing.  The list attached is a portion of the 8 Myers listed and the ships they came over on.  There was additional information as to what the crime was and for how long the inmates were incarcerated.  You could be incarcerated from the ripe old age of nine. Fasinating some of the findings during the architectural diggings under floor boards once the demolition of the facility was halted.  Like everywhere the mindset was out with the old and built something new until the artifacts were located and the historical site designation was granted.

The Sydney Mint Museum shows the progression of the making of currency from who is on it (front & back), what denominations were allowed...fun fact that as the weekly wage way back was on $3AU a week there was no need for denominations above $10AU.  AU also created the first plastic/polymer currency which is widely used in many 3rd world countries as they lasted longer than the paper bills based on being handled more frequently and stored in shoes, waist/bra straps they have longer life time.  USA still uses paper currency.

 The Sydney Government House is a great old castle like dwelling that previously housed the Governor.  It is now only rarely used for state dinners/affairs.  It has a magnificent view of the Harbour.  The interior is set up with the furnishings of the past.  No photos allowed.  I'm still cute, hot sweaty and down about 10lbs, walking is a great weight controller.

The Museum of Sydney is also a very detailed exhibition of the history of AU.  There is a huge focus on the convict colonization and the treatment of the Aboriginal people during colonization.  Similar to the American Indian, where the USA gave them their ceremonial land to build casinos the AU government is also making reparations to the aboriginal people of land and recognition of art and history.  Alot of the aboriginal art is made up of what I can best describe a dot paintings.  they use alot of interpretation of animals and figures to convey messages of locations, living conditions and treatment by the white man.  Appears every countries settlement required the stepping on toes of the original settlers, (Indians/Aboriginal).

I told you it was a busy day of museums.  Next I ventured over to the Elizabeth Bay house which was another Historical Houses Trust site.  This is a splendid home that has been kept in the furnishings of the time.  Again no photos allowed. 

All for today.

Making reservations to see "Soap"  which is a Cirque do Soleil type presentation at the Sydney opera House for tonight and then off to catch Karen's 15 seconds of fame.