New Museum Discovery Centre is helping hidden treasures see the light of day

AS museums only display about 10 per cent of their total collections at any one time, a new discovery centre is helping hidden treasures see the light of day.

DID you know that most museums only ever display around 10 per cent of their total collections at any one time?

This means there are millions of objects and specimens, which never get to see the light of day.

Wanting to share some of the hidden treasures tucked away from the public eye, three of Australia’s leading museums have compiled diverse and rich collections for permanent display in a new facility.

The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, the Australian Museum and Sydney Living Museums have collaborated to open the new Museums Discovery Centre at Castle Hill in northwest Sydney

With promises the Museums Discovery Centre would offer an experience unlike anything else in Australia, we were keen to check it out.

The centre has six permanent exhibitions, each with a different focus.

The first store includes artworks such as chairs, vases and shellwork from some of the world’s best designers.

Since I am not widely impressed by shellwork, I quickly browsed through this section and made my way to the second store, which had machines dating from the industrial age to the present day.

Included are innovative technologies like telephones, cameras, sewing machines, clocks, heaters, light bulbs, radios and typewriters.

The third store is where things start to get interesting, as it contains some iconic types of transport including a bike that was ridden by a monkey at the Taronga Zoo, a yacht and some dubious looking aircraft.

It also includes a totem pole and a huge mosaic — because it is the only store high enough to house them.

A giant rhino is the main item on show in store four, which houses objects collected and used by scientists both in the field and in the lab.

In addition to the rhino, there is a multitude of insects, butterflies, animals and plants.

The fifth store had a wide array of domestic appliances including fridges, stoves, washing machines and lawnmowers.

A highlight from this section was a collection showcasing the evolution of television, which contained mechanical TVs all the way through to the first colour units in Australia.

While great at the time, they likely wouldn’t make the cut for streaming Netflix today.

The sixth exhibition I could take or leave as I am not that into architectural elements.

Although, if ornate carved timber pieces or stained glass windows are your thing, this could be right up your alley.

After visiting the Museums Discovery Centre, I can safely say it’s well worth a visit.

I just kind of wish it had more bikes and less shellwork, but that’s a minor detail.

The Museums Discovery Centre is located at 172 Showground Road, Castle Hill and is open Monday — Friday from 10am to 5pm.

Admission is $10 adults or $8 concession, with children 16 years and under free.

However, this weekend the museum will be opening to the public from 10am-5pm and people can check it out for free.

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