Transformations (1900-Present)

By the beginning of the 20 th century, The Rocks and inner city areas were regarded as crowded, dirty and unhealthy. The NSW Government took advantage of a bubonic plague scare to take control of The Rocks and announced its intention to redevelop the area.

Wharves and buildings were torn down and rebuilt. The two World Wars somewhat stalled the process, however the building of the Harbour Bridge during the Depression brought about the demolition of hundreds of homes in The Rocks.

The local community's resistance to this program of redevelopment culminated in 1973, when The Rocks residents joined with the Builders' Labourers Federation in official protests that brought about a ban (known as Green Bans) on further demolition of this historic quarter.

This exhibition features unique archival footage from the early 1900s to the building of the Harbour Bridge right up to vision of the Battle for the Rocks during the 1970s. There is also a video documenting the history and experiences of Aboriginal people in The Rocks in the 20 th century.