Perched on William Street, the Former National School Building stands. Its story is often overlooked. This small Gothic building is more than just old bricks. It is the oldest surviving National School building in the Sydney region.
Let’s step back in time. The mid-1850s saw a section of the Australian Museum site change hands. It was given to the Board of National Education. Their goal was to build a school for local students. In 1851, the National School opened its doors.
Initially, the single-story school had two classrooms. A central room with an eastern entrance completed the layout. Imagine children learning their lessons in this simple space. Fast forward to 1892. A second story was added. An impressive entrance facing William Street was also constructed. These additions show changing educational needs. The school’s name also changed over the years. It always remained a public school.
Look at the entrance. It sits close to the footpath now. But it wasn’t always like this. In 1916, the City Council moved the footpath. They resumed 35 feet of the William Street frontage. The footpath was literally moved to the front door.
The Former National School Building served as a school until 1950. Then, the Child Welfare Department took over. They renovated the inside to create administrative offices. In 1971, the building returned to the Australian Museum. By 1975, the northern end became a storage area. It housed the extensive Melanesian Collection.
More internal changes followed. Air conditioning and a lift were installed. The windows were bricked up. In 2012, the ground floor reopened as a venue space. It was named The Night Parrot. Museum administrative offices remained on the first floor.
The name The Night Parrot is interesting. It recognizes the discovery of the rare Night Parrot. The parrot was thought to be extinct. Australian Museum Ornithologist Walter Boles and his colleagues found it in South West Queensland in 1990.
The southern end of the Former National School Building remains largely unseen. It has undergone changes to meet staff needs. However, much of its early structure remains.
In December 2016, The Night Parrot got a makeover. It was relaunched as ‘1892’. This reflects the striking changes made to the building in the late 1800s.
The Australian Museum honors the building’s original purpose. It was an educational facility. That’s why it’s called the Former National School Building. Small but dignified, it stands as a reminder of Sydney’s educational past.