Aboriginal historical collections

Sensitivity Notice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following page may contain images and voices of deceased ancestors. 

The State Library holds vast collections relating to New South Wales and First Nations histories, cultures, art and expression.  The Library preserves and makes them accessible in order to support and encourage research, conversation, inspiration, learning and cultural revitalisation.  

The important historical colonial collections of the Library often document and depict the lives, cultures and stories of NSW First Nations peoples, but are overwhelmingly created from the perspective of European colonists, explorers, missionaries and anthropologists.

The Indigenous Engagement Branch supports the Library to ensure that these collections are researched, reimagined and understood from the perspective of First Nations Elders, experts and communities. 

Historical collections includes papers, sketches and journals from: 

• Missionaries (such as the Anglican Board of Missions, Australian Indigenous Ministries [formerly Aboriginal Inland Mission] and the Presbyterian, Uniting and Methodist churches) 
• Explorers (such as Sir Thomas Mitchell and Ludwig Leichhardt) 
• Anthropologists (Herbert Basedow and Sir Walter Baldwin Spencer) 
• Stations, missions and reserves including ration and blanket lists 
• Paintings and early sketches/depictions of First Nations people and culture 
• Photographs of Aboriginal people, places, cultural expression and Country  
• Maps of lands, waterways and stars 
• Language lists and dictionaries 

Recent collections includes work created by First Nations artists, organisations and movements

The more recent parts of the collection focus on important work created by First Nations artists, organisations and movements: 

• Testimonies and printed material from leaders like Pearl Mary (Gambanyi) Gibbs and Faith Bandler;  
• Original manuscripts and papers of authors including Dr. Ruby Langford Ginibi and David Unaipon; 
• Documents and photographs from political organisations such as the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship, Aborigines Progressive Association and Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs;  
• Family history and stolen generation information; 
• Portraits and photographs by Michael Riley and Barbara McGrady;  
• Flyers for sports, musical and political clubs; 
• Historical realia including breast plates and boxing gloves; 
• Artworks by Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft, Karla Dickens