Steps to the University of Sydney (1870)

Figure 3. Courtesy of the University of Sydney Archives, 1870 [G3_224_0943]. Main Building And Great Hall From City Road Entrance. Photograph, https://www.sydney.edu.au/arms/archives/media/me_objects/216.

This next photograph captures the main building and great hall in 1870 (Fig. 3). As one of the earliest University structures, the Main Building stands tall and commanding.[1] It was designed in the grand style of gothic revival architecture and reflected the founders’ desire to place the University of Sydney amongst the great English universities of Oxford and Cambridge.[2]

The main building was specifically chosen to be built on a hill, so its large presence could be seen from a distance.[3] You can see how barren the land looks in the old photograph.  Nowadays you are not able to see it as easily due to trees and other buildings, such as the Fisher Library and Chau Chak Wing Museum.

As you stand on the stairs, have a look at the crests on each stone pillar. This is the university’s coat of arms and motto which has been used since 1857.[4] The coat of arm features a golden lion, an open book, and a blue cross. The motto can be translated to "The stars change, the mind remains the same"[5]

As you head towards the next stop, make sure you look to your right and see the large modern Chau Chak Wing Museum. This museum brings together three great museum collections, so be sure to check it out![6]

     [1] Rosemary Kerr, Val Attenbrow, Cheryl Stanborough, Donald Ellsmore, and Duncan Marshall,  Appendix A: University Of Sydney Overview History, University of Sydney Grounds Conservation Plan, 2002, https://www.sydney.edu.au/documents/about/heritage/gcp_appendix1.pdf, A24.

     [2] Kerr, Attenbrow, Stanborough, Ellsmore, and Marshall,  Appendix A, A24.

     [3] Kerr, Attenbrow, Stanborough, Ellsmore, and Marshall,  Appendix A, A24.

     [4] “Our motto and coat of arms,” The University of Sydney, accessed May 30, 2021, https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us/our-story/our-motto-and-coat-of-arms.html.

     [5] University of Sydney, “Our motto and coat of arms.”

     [6] “The New Chau Chak Wing Museum,” The University of Sydney, accessed May 30, 2021, https://www.sydney.edu.au/museum/about-us.html.