Female Orphan School Heritage Tour

Whitlam Institute
Sat 05 Jul '25 – Sat 04 Oct '25

Overview

Guided heritage tour of Australia's oldest three-storey building - the Female Orphan School. Built in 1813 with the intention of providing shelter for the colony's young girls away from the hardships of Sydney Town, this historic site later transformed into the Rydalmere Psychiatric Hospital before falling into disrepair and neglect. Covered in graffiti and seemingly forgotten, the future of the building was uncertain until restoration efforts…

Guided heritage tour of Australia's oldest three-storey building - the Female Orphan School.

Built in 1813 with the intention of providing shelter for the colony's young girls away from the hardships of Sydney Town, this historic site later transformed into the Rydalmere Psychiatric Hospital before falling into disrepair and neglect. Covered in graffiti and seemingly forgotten, the future of the building was uncertain until restoration efforts commenced in 2000.

Now, painstakingly restored to its former glory, it serves as the proud home of the Whitlam Institute. In addition to guided tours, visitors can explore two galleries: the Permanent Exhibition on the Whitlam Government and the Margaret Whitlam Gallery.

Built: 1813
Architect: Overseen by Lachlan Macquarie, with initial revisions and additions by Francis Greenway
Awards: UNESCO Award for Culture Heritage Conservation 2004

Location

Whitlam Institute

Female Orphan School, Building EZ, Parramatta South Campus Corner James Ruse Drive & Victoria Road Rydalmere NSW 2116 Australia

Get directions
Location - Female Orphan School, Building EZ, Parramatta South Campus Corner James Ruse Drive & Victoria Road Rydalmere NSW 2116 Australia

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