Heritage Centre collections

David Earle Local Studies Collection

This collection contains our comprehensively researched vertical files, picture collections, books, maps, plans, reports, videos and family history databases. These resources are listed in both the library catalogue and in the digital collections.

You can access over 20,000 historical images, maps and building plans, artworks, postcards and more.

View Digital Image Collections

Use of the Digital Image Collections is subject to these terms and conditions

Merle Coppell Oral History Collection

This collection was established in the 1980s and comprises more than 280 taped interviews with members of our local community. The interviews focus on topics ranging from domestic life to working on the foreshores of Berrys Bay. People have spoken of their memories of going to school, riding on trams, going shopping up the 'shore', visiting local doctors, working at Luna Park, the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and going to the pictures at the North Sydney Orpheum and the Union de Luxe. The collection is housed in the North Sydney Heritage Centre and can be accessed at any time.

All interviews are listed in the library catalogue

North Sydney Council Archives

This collection, which dates from 1869 to the present, includes rate and valuation books, building registers, 1930s and 1940s building plans, correspondence files, minute books, maps and plans. This information is useful for conducting research into buildings and sites, as well as North Sydney history in general. Prior appointment is recommended for viewing these archives.

North Sydney Council Archives: list of holdings

North Sydney Community Archives

The North Sydney Heritage Centre is the archival repository for the record collections from public institutions, private companies and individuals associated with North Sydney. Highlights include artworks and papers of Luna Park artist Arthur Barton, and the Marion and Neil Shand Collection relating to May Gibbs. Prior appointment is recommended for viewing these archives.

Community Archives: list of holdings

Object and Art Collections

View clothing, textiles, domestic items, utensils, tools, memorabilia and other objects relating to the history of North Sydney from the 19th Century through to the present day.  

Object and Art Collections

Amplify - Voices from the North Shore

Features a collection of interviews with people who have lived, studied, worked and played in North Sydney from the early 20th Century to the present day. This collection has been uploaded to Amplify, an audio transcription platform. Using speech-to-text software, Amplify creates machine-generated transcripts of oral history interviews which are edited by volunteers. You can help enrich these historical records by correcting transcription errors as you listen to them. Visit Amplify to contribute to this work and help make our collection more accessible.

Explore Amplify

Volunteer or get involved

From working in our local museums to helping our Bushcare groups look after our natural environment, there's plenty of volunteering opportunities and ways to get involved in your local community.

Find out more