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Powerhouse Museum - Research

Country Always

Country Always

Caring for Country

A Corner of the Empire

A Corner of the Empire

The Garden Palace

The Holding Pen

The Holding Pen

The Agricultural Hall

Regional Networks

Regional Networks

Across New South Wales

A Museum of Doing

A Museum of Doing

Technological Museum

Expanding Stories

Expanding Stories

Evolution of the Castle Hill site from botanical research station to Museum Discovery Centre

Transforming the Tramsheds

Transforming the Tramsheds

Powerhouse Stage 1 and the Harwood Building

A Symbol in Time

A Symbol in Time

Sydney Observatory

Ongoing Transformations

Ongoing Transformations

Powerhouse Ultimo

Applied Arts and Sciences

Applied Arts and Sciences

Defining the terms in the 21st century

Powerhouse Renewal

Powerhouse Renewal

A transformative renewal program across four sites

We Rise

We Rise

Blak Powerhouse

Powerhouse-1 Mission Launch to the ISS

Powerhouse-1 Mission Launch to the ISS

An initiative of the Powerhouse: Future Space program

2024

2024

Exoskeleton

Exoskeleton

Powerhouse Parramatta

Powerhouse Parramatta Topping Out

Powerhouse Parramatta Topping Out

Major construction milestone achieved for the new museum

2025

Research

Powerhouse research generates new knowledge across the applied arts and sciences to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

‘It cannot be too strongly emphasised that research is the lifeblood of a science museum. If the spirit of research be absent, the museum may truly be described as a dead place. By its very nature, a science museum is a research institution, and only in an atmosphere of active enquiry can its function be maintained.’

Frank Richard Morrison, Director (1956–1960)

Powerhouse Collection

The Powerhouse Collection includes the Powerhouse Archives, which are comprised of Collected Archives and the Powerhouse Institutional Archives.

Subscribe FAQ Contact Governance Accessibility Opportunities

Research Residencies

Two people leaning towards a table, wearing gloves and analysing the object on the table.

Research Scholars

Powerhouse offers annual programs to researchers interested in exploring the collection for the purposes of creative practice or academic research.

Microscope looking at glass slide.

WSU Scholar in Residence

Western Sydney University (WSU) is the Foundation University Partner of Powerhouse Parramatta, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of Australian innovators, scientists and entrepreneurs.

Current Australian Research Council Linkage Projects

Completed Research Projects

Provenance Research Project

Powerhouse Museum is a major cultural institution that collects, preserves, documents and displays Australian material culture and its global impact. The Powerhouse Collection spans a broad range of media and materials across the applied arts and sciences. The museum conforms to appropriate policy and guidelines to ensure the objects it brings into the collection or borrows for exhibitions have clear title and history of ownership (provenance) and it follows legislation relevant to movable cultural heritage.

Powerhouse Research Library

A reference library supporting the exhibitions, publications and programs of the museum. The Research Library collection dates from 1880, and its subject specialities reflect the museum’s diverse collecting areas and contains approximately 40,000 books, 1,500 journal titles, and digital resources. By appointment only: Contact the Research Library.

Catalogue

Research Library Catalogue

Reference Library Enquiry

To enquire or for more information

Woman with rubix cube in red recording studio

Sound Before Sound II: Auditioning the Archive

Sounding The Collection

Powerhouse Image Library

Comprising of digital and analog photographs of collection objects, exhibitions, significant locations and events. The Image Library supports Powerhouse publications, exhibitions and services as well as external researchers, publishers and authors. Contact the Image Library.

Image Services

Schedule of fees for applicable costs.

Image Licensing Enquiry

To enquire or for more information

Powerhouse Conservation

Powerhouse Conservation team members are custodians of the Powerhouse Collection in storage and on exhibition. The team is committed to controlling environmental factors, documenting object conditions, conducting remedial work, and participating in various regional and community programs to promote conservation.

Museum Resources

Digitising Powerhouse Object 347,172

The Official Record of the Sydney International Exhibition, 1879

Stories

Four screens with images of trees and the first two with text overlaid. To the right a large slab on wood stands upright with white text written on it.

Right of Reply

An illustration of a eucalyptus leaf on a bright green background.

In Relation – Resistance / Resilience

Season 1, Episode 1

Woman with rubix cube in red recording studio

Sound Before Sound II: Auditioning the Archive

Sounding The Collection

Revealing Resonance

Sounding the Collection

Four figures sit on a stage with a white background talking, there is a crowd watching the talk.

Powerhouse Climate Action Plan 2022–2025

100 Climate Conversations Special

Animation of drawings and shapes

NTS Radio X Powerhouse

Sampling the Collection

Policies and Plans

Powerhouse Museum is committed to providing access to the range of policies, plans and procedures we develop relating to all our activities and relevant legislation.

Powerhouse Community

New work across the applied arts and sciences is developed through support and investment by Powerhouse. We foster innovation through facilitating collaboration and connection between industry and community.