About this Archives in Brief
This AIB provides a brief overview of the major sources held by State Records that relate to hospital buildings. Other records may be identified in Archives Investigator See also the Guide to the records of the Government (Colonial) Architect 1837-c.1970 (Government Architect's Guide) and the Departmental Special Bundle listings, available in both reading rooms.
Researchers should consult the Register of Access Directions to confirm the public availability of records. State Records' staff can advise you on the availability of records if they are not listed on the register.
Introduction
Medical staff arrived with the First Fleet in 1788 and a temporary hospital was constructed at Sydney Cove. The arrival of the Second Fleet showed the inadequacy of the first building, with many convicts being housed in tents in the hospital grounds. Sydney Hospital was opened in 1816.
Hospitals were also built at Windsor, Bathurst, Liverpool and Goulburn in the early 1800s.
Select list of sources
Health
| Title | Series | Copy |
|
General matters 'C' files, 1930-86 | ||
|
Includes extensions to hospital buildings. | ||
|
Miscellaneous papers, c.1941-43 | NRS 4885 | |
|
Includes miscellaneous sketches and plans. | ||
|
Copies of plans of Prince Henry Hospital, 1892-1920 | ||
|
Files relating to the erection of David Berry Hospital, 13 Jan 1908-4 May 1937 | ||
|
General files (North Metropolitan Regional Office), c.1940-1983 | NRS 4931 | |
|
Includes files re building and maintenance work. | ||
|
Files relating to private hospitals (North Metropolitan Regional Office), c.1960-76 | NRS 4932 | |
|
Contains material re building alterations. | ||
|
Gladesville Mental Hospital, Book of Photographs, c.1966 | NRS 5050 | |
|
North Ryde Psychiatric Centre Plans, 1955-64 | NRS 5079 | |
|
Inspector's Book, 1879-96 | NRS 5137 | |
|
Includes comments on the condition of hospital buildings. | ||
|
Parramatta Psychiatric Centre, Plans of the Centre, 1876-1974 | NRS 5147 | |
|
An index to those plans bearing an index number is located at [8/3047]. | ||
Government Architect
| Title | Series | Copy | |
|
Sketches and plans of hospitals and technical colleges, 1936-38 | |||
|
Photographs of public buildings in New South Wales, c.1880-1940 |
Reel 2786 | ||
|
These photographs are listed in full in the Guide to the records of the Government (Colonial) Architect 1837-c.1970 which is available in both reading rooms. | |||
|
Building 'B' files, 1936-90 | NRS 4351 | ||
|
Until the establishment of a hospital building 'H' register in 1950, the 'B' system was used for registering files relating to hospital and health buildings. | |||
|
Files re health buildings ('H' files), 1935-91 | NRS 4354 | ||
|
Full listings of these files are available. | |||
Government Printing Office
| Title | Series | Copy |
|
Glass and film negatives, c.1870-1988 |
Reels 2546, 2547, 2643 | |
|
This series includes images of Sydney Hospital, Macquarie St. Alterations; Gladesville Hospital; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; Rydalmere Hospital. | ||
Colonial Secretary
| Title | Series | Copy |
|
Special bundles | NRS 906 | |
|
Extensions to Prince Alfred Hospital and financial subsidies, 1899-1913 [5/5260] | ||
|
South Sydney Hospital, proposed extensions, 1909-15 [5/7108.5] | ||
|
Proposed extension to Sydney Hospital, 1909-16 [5/5301] | ||
|
Minute book of the Hospital's Advisory Board, 20 Jun 1918-21 Jun 1929 | ||
|
Includes hospital sites and plans. | ||
For further information
See the listings in the reading rooms for Treasury; NRS 14194, Special bundles, 1846-1984 and Attorney General's Department; NRS 333, Special bundles, 1874-1984. Consult Archives Investigator, under the following agencies:
- Hospitals Commission of NSW
- Board of Health
- Inspector General of Mental Hospitals.
© State of New South Wales through the State Records Authority, 2003.
This work may be freely reproduced and distributed for most purposes, however some restrictions apply. See our copyright notice or contact us.