IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: Stories from 14 MacMahon Street

Hurstville Museum & Gallery exhibition
18 January - 11 May 2014

Over the last few months, Hurstville Museum & Gallery celebrated its tenth anniversary of residing at 14 MacMahon Street with an exhibition about the history of our Tudor style building.

Since the house was built in 1929 it has been used for many different purposes, including a residence, doctor's practice, rugby club, theatre restaurant, function centre and gallery.

The exhibition featured memories of former tenants and members of the community, photographs and interesting objects that helped to uncover the many stories of the building.

"Wonderful hearing Granny's stories here come to life." 

Listen to Philippa describe the layout of her childhood home and other stories of 14 MacMahon Street.

"Beautifully presented - memory space. Loved the cake/ dripping pot/ costumes."

Images courtesy of Hurstville
City Library Museum & Gallery

"Thank you for upkeeping of our heritage."

Many of our Museum & Gallery visitors still have their own fond memories of 14 MacMahon Street and greatly enjoyed our exhibition and public programs.
Our most popular event was a series of High Teas at the Museum & Gallery and was kindly sponsored by The Gardens on Forest.

"Congrats! On a great job... Nothing was too much trouble. Thank you for a wonderful day!"

Images courtesy of Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery 

For everyone who missed IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK, here is a 360° degree view of Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery's exhibition.

The exhibition was proudly sponsored by

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK

Stories from 14 MacMahon Street – Hurstville Museum & Gallery

In 2003 Hurstville City Council was looking for a new home for the St George Regional Museum, previously called The Centennial Bakery Museum. The museum, which included a large bakery item collection and historical artefacts from the Hurstville Historical Society, was outgrowing the small corner building on Forest Road and Bridge Street. 14 MacMahon Street became available after the Fanari Restaurant & Bar had closed and it seemed to be the perfect place for the museum!

The Mayor of Hurstville, Clr Vince Badalati officially opened the St George Regional Museum on Friday 6 February 2004. On display in the exhibition are the original pair of scissors to cut the red ribbon, which was spanned across the entrance.

Courtesy of Hurstville Library Museum & Gallery collection

Since 2004, 14 MacMahon Street has attracted over 110,000 visitors, more than 170 exhibitions and too many public programs to count.

Do you remember the exhibition ‘Ned Kelly – Fact and Fiction’, a travelling exhibition by the National Museumof Australia, Canberra?

It was a very popular exhibition at the St George Regional Museum in 2007. 

Courtesy of Hurstville Library Museum & Gallery collection

These are just some of the stories of 14 MacMahon Street. Come and visit the multisensory exhibition IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK  to find out more about the building’s past.

Exhibition on show until Sunday 11 May 2014.

The exhibition is proudly sponsored by 

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IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK

Stories from 14 MacMahon Street – St George Rugby Club

Image courtesy of Craig Fear

In the 1960s, 14 MacMahon Street became the new club house and recreational centre for the St George Rugby Club. St George Rugby players, families and friends, the opposing teams and referees would meet after Saturday home games at the clubhouse for speeches, sing-a-longs and a good time. Later in the evenings a three man band, all rugby players, performed upstairs and everybody started dancing on a little dance floor.

Craig Fear, one of the players, still remembers:

“The floor used to bounce around and anyone in that first room were always a bit worried about to be sitting there, because the ceiling used to bounce up and down.”

The main bar area, today’s main gallery, was the ‘real rugby room’ where everyone mingled. In the early days of the clubhouse women weren’t allowed in. They had to stay in a separate ‘lady’s lounge’ and waive to their male friends to order a new drink.

 

Image courtesy of Craig Fear

On display in the exhibition is the original door sign of the St George Rugby Club. The screw holes for it are still visible next to our Museum & Gallery entrance door.

These are just some of the stories of 14 MacMahon Street. Come and visit the multisensory exhibition IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK  to find out more about the building’s past.

Exhibition is proudly sponsored by