What was daily life like for New South Wales parliamentarians in the 1800s?
A new free exhibition at the NSW Parliament aims to answer that question by displaying rarely seen items from the archives, including tableware, sporting equipment, and objects linked to the historic buildings.
Parlimento: The Exhibition, which runs until July 30, offers a glimpse into the social and working history of Australia’s oldest parliament.
Records and archives manager Joy Philip said the exhibition was created to bring the public closer to the people into the social and stories behind the institution.
“It’s remarkable that the cricket balls have been kept for well over 100 years,” Philip told The Epoch Times.
She also pointed to the Greco Pompeian centrepiece, known as an epergne, an ornate piece highly prized in the 1800s for displaying fruit or sweets.
Many items on display were recovered during building works from beneath the floorboards of Parliament House.
“I never cease to be fascinated that so much was found during later building works, especially under the floorboards,” Philip said. “This includes parts of the telegraph poles and insulators on display which are also over 100 years old, and reflect the changes to Macquarie Street in the late 1800s and early 1900s.”
Philip said her favourite items are the early menus, which reveal much about the society at the time, including strong English and French influences.
“While the 1894 calf’s head and brain sauce would not be my preferred option, I'd like to try rarebit, which is actually just a type of cheese on toast,” she said.
And perhaps the most fascinating insight from the exhibition is how work-life balance mattered, even in the 1800s.
“I think it’s interesting that even back in the 1800s while laying the groundwork for modern democracy, they understood the importance of creating a healthy balance of work with recreation and socialising,” Philip said.
A lack of transportation meant most parliamentarians would remain in the area during sitting times, increasing the need for nearby dining, social activities, and sport—particularly cricket.
A photograph of parliamentarians playing cricket, along with an activity card and dinner menu from an inter-colonial visit to Victoria, which also included rifle shooting and billiards), helps paint a fuller picture.
“New South Wales went to visit Victoria … and obviously the love of cricket started very early,” Philip said.
