Susannah Place Museum, Sydney

Situated within the former slum and rugged neighborhood of the Rocks, Susannah Place Museum highlights the lives of Sydney's working class from 1844 to 1990. Comprising four sandstone residences, it stands as the remaining vestiges of the once abundant sandstone architecture. Erected in 1844 for Edward and Mary Riley, these homes, along with an adjoining corner shop, have sheltered numerous working-class families across generations. Notably, the museum's restoration efforts have focused solely on ensuring structural safety, leaving all other elements untouched.

Within these dwellings, layers of paint and peeling wallpaper unveil a narrative spanning 150 years, featuring an antique lounge, an 80-year-old kitchen, and a century-old bedroom. From brick-type toilets to modern flushing mechanisms, the evolution of sanitary practices in the city is vividly portrayed.

Likewise, the backyard showcases the progression from tub-based washing to the adoption of washing machines within the working-class neighbourhood. Complementing this immersive experience is a brief DVD presentation on the Rocks' history and archival photographs illustrating the pre-Harbour Bridge landscape. The corner shop, adorned to capture the vibrancy of working-class community life, offers 19th-century goods reminiscent of its bygone era.