Picture this a small Gothic building nestled amongst grander structures. This is the Former National School Building. It stands proudly on William Street a testament to Sydney’s rich educational past. Opened in 1851 it’s the oldest surviving National School building in the entire Sydney region.
Initially a humble single-story structure with just two classrooms and a central room. The school expanded in 1892 with a second story and a striking new entrance on William Street. Over the years additions and alterations met evolving educational needs. The school’s name changed several times. It always remained a public school serving the community.
A fascinating detail is the footpath. In 1916 the City Council moved the footpath 35 feet. They literally moved it to the front door of the school. Can you imagine the disruption? The school continued its vital role until 1950 when it closed its doors. The Child Welfare Department took over. They renovated the inside to create administrative offices.
In 1971 it returned to the Australian Museum. The northern end became a specialized storage area for the impressive Melanesian Collection. The Museum installed air conditioning a lift. They even bricked up some windows for better storage. Further changes in 2012 saw the ground floor reborn as a venue. It was called The Night Parrot. This was a nod to the extremely rare Night Parrot rediscovered in 1990.
The southern end unseen by the public underwent transformations to meet staff needs. The building retained much of its original character. In 2016 the venue was refurbished and relaunched as ‘1892’ marking its significant 1892 additions. Today the Former National School Building stands as a reminder of its original purpose. It’s a dignified building a small but significant piece of Sydney’s history.