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Powerhouse Museum

places|nsw|ultimo|powerhouse%20museum
A portal to popular science and an altar to the everyday, this powerhouse continues to stoke the fires of the city’s imagination.

Editorial


The drive for this big, thriving space was commenced long ago. Back in 1879, a site called the Garden Palace was constructed to house objects of innovation and invention. A fire ravaged the palace but did not destroy the civic hope to honour cleverness.

Once, 500 Harris Street powered the city's electric tram service. Now, it illuminates the hopes of those long gone civic leaders whose fascination with industry and invention never darkened.

With its joyous exploration of the everyday, museum claims the unofficial title for Citysearch Sydney's favourite. Call us a little biased or call us just a little child-like; just call us if you plan to visit the permanent Experimentations exhibit which allows a hands-on approach to science.

There are some 400,000 pieces that make up this extraordinary collection and each of them, from an astronomical clock to an old battery (pictured) to steam powered vehicles and gowns, are testament to ingenuity.

These items, along with big-ticket loans, are almost invariably curated in such a way as to ignite the popular interest. While this branch of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (the other being the Observatory) is out to educate, it does not shun the public taste. Temporary exhibitions here have embraced the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Stark Trek and Lego.

The PHM gets bonus point not only for its proximity to yum cha but its disability access. Wheelchairs are available for loan; access parking may be booked in advance and a Special Access Kit is available for visitors with a disability.

Helen Razer, Citysearch

Event Listing

Sydney Design Festival

Powerhouse Museum 500 Harris Street, Ultimo 2011-07-30

Start:30-Jul-2011

End:14-Aug-2011

2011-08-14

Spirit of Jang-in

Powerhouse Museum 500 Harris Street, Ultimo 2011-10-28

Start:28-Oct-2011

End:12-Feb-2012

2012-02-12

Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Powerhouse Museum 500 Harris Street, Ultimo 2011-11-19

Start:19-Nov-2011

End:18-Mar-2012

2012-03-18

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