NRS-21502 | Images [Government Architect's Office]

This series contains images in various formats accumulated by the Office of the Government Architect. Sources of the images include professional photographers and departmental employees. Some of the images, which were associated with publications produced by the agency, were previously held by the Government Printer. Many of the images are reproductions of original items dating back to the first half of the 19th Century.The images form a key pictorial record relating to the design, construction, renovation and restoration of public buildings, structures and environs. They record the range of public buildings and properties maintained by the government including police stations, lock-ups and residences; court houses; gaols and correctional centres; fire stations; schools and colleges; museums and other cultural institutions; government offices; hospitals; dams; bridges; gardens and memorials. The records also document conservation and restoration projects such as the Stonework Program.Many images record conservation works performed on structures protected under NSW heritage legislation and thus have considerable research potential for the ongoing care of these items.Significant subjects include the Art Gallery; the Australian Museum; the Chief Secretary's Building; the Conservatorium, including archaeological dig records; Fort Denison; buildings of the Hartley historical precinct; Hyde Park Barracks; Lennox Bridge; the Mint Building; Parliament House; Rouse Hill House; the State Library; Sydney Observatory; Sydney Opera House; and Taronga Zoo.There are also images of significant non-government properties, such as St Marys Cathedral and other churches, and views of important local and regional landmarks, streets, towns and natural environments, and the effects of events such as fire and flood. There are even photographs of staff-related occasions such as retirements and award presentations.Formats include black and white and colour photographs and slides, transparencies (negatives and positives), and contact prints. The images are generally arranged alphabetically by title within each consignment.It should be noted that, in many cases, the start and end dates in the listings provided by the transferring agency cannot be verified as many of the images are not physically dated.