Collection SummaryEstablished in 1983, Fairfield City Museum & Gallery consists of a heritage museum, an art gallery and an exquisite heritage Vintage Village.
DescriptionThe Edwardian style museum building has been around since long before the museum was established, with the building being erected in 1913 in Smithfield, Fairfield City's oldest township. Until 1920, the building was used as the Council Chambers of the then Smithfield and Fairfield Municipality. That year the Council found a new home in the commercial centre of Fairfield and the building found new landlords, James and Florence Morris and their daughter Maisie. The house was in their hands until 1980 when the last of the Morris family - Maisie - passed away. Before she died, Maisie made sure her wishes were fulfilled. The house would be transformed into a museum.
After some successful lobbying by the Fairfield Historical Society, Fairfield City Council bought the property in 1980. Three years later, in 1983 the Fairfield City Museum was a reality. In the next few years, the place grew with the addition of buildings at the rear of the site. Nowadays, the Fairfield City Museum & Gallery comprises three different sections. Apart from the 1913 museum building, the place has experienced a major development with the addition of the Stein Gallery and the nostalgic Vintage Village.
The Stein Gallery, built in 1995 was designed and positioned to compliment the style of the former Council Chambers building and has since provided quality exhibitions inspired by local, state and national contributors. The gallery is named after the pioneering family that settled in the area and whose descendants are our foundation members.
Among visitors, the Vintage Village is one of the favourite areas. A real excursion to the past, the village recreates local businesses and residences from the 1880s to the 1930s. The Vintage Village is comprised of both original heritage-listed and reconstructed buildings.
Fairfield City Museum & Gallery. Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 22/07/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/6840
