A View from the Top: External Roof Works Begin

A View from the Top: External Roof Works Begin

Back in July 2025, the Royal Australian Historical Society shared the exciting news that we’d received $112,790 in funding from the NSW Government’s Caring for State Heritage Grants program. The announcement featured the Hon. Penny Sharpe, MLC, Minister for Heritage, standing proudly in front of History House as we celebrated this important investment in conserving our much-loved heritage building.

This week, the external roof works started. This marks a major milestone in the restoration of History House. The project involves removing the existing tile roof and replacing it with a traditional copper batten roll roof, a material historically used on Sydney’s public and residential heritage buildings. Copper was selected for its durability, compatibility with existing leadwork and copper downpipes, low maintenance needs, and its traditional appearance that complements the building’s heritage character.

Roof works underway at History House, showing the removal of existing roof materials and preparation for the new copper covering. View looking east towards Sydney Harbour. (Photographer: Brianna Jessup, Architect, Hector Abrahams Architects. 21 October 2025)

Combined Roofing Australia, led by Andy Coyne, was awarded the contract in September 2025 following a competitive tender process. The works are expected to take eight weeks to complete, weather permitting.

The project includes important maintenance and conservation works, such as:

• Repairs to the lower flat roof and replacement of flashings.
• New leadwork to the dormers, boundary parapet walls, and chimney.
• Replacement of box gutters at the front of the building.

As part of the conservation process, the RAHS is documenting the works through an archival photographic record, ensuring this significant phase in the history of History House is carefully recorded. We will also share photographs when the roof work is complete.

We would like to again thank the NSW Government and Heritage NSW for supporting this critical phase of the History House conservation project, helping to safeguard one of Sydney’s most important heritage buildings. We also acknowledge the generous support of our donors and members, whose ongoing commitment makes it possible for the RAHS to continue preserving and sharing the history of New South Wales for future generations.