Descend into Sydney’s seedy underworld in our new photographic exhibition featuring a selection of intriguing criminal portraits of police suspects from the 1920s. These candid and compelling mugshots reveal the dark side of The Roaring Twenties.
On display until 30 May at the Asylum, Port Arthur Historic Site
“I made the keys and can escape from the prison with them whenever I like.”
Drunken and incompetent warders were easy prey for the enterprising Henry Singleton. When they gave him access to keys, he saw his chance.
Private Robert Young's headstone reads: “His melancholy fate doth plainly prove/the frail uncertainty of human life”.
Two convicts risked their lives to save Robert from drowning. Were they his friends, or were they hoping for a reward?
“Something of this kind was much needed for the ladies of the settlement.”
Plants and gardens were Commandant William Champ’s lifelong passion. He even preferred them to beer!
“I treated the men as human beings, not as caged beasts.”
David Hoy gave his life to building fine ships, and to saving the men and boys in his care from lives of crime.
"Surgeon’s report; bad. Behaviour; idle and disorderly.”
The fiery young Scottish highway-woman tested the system to its limits but, given trust and respect, she turned her life around.
Events
Programs An archaeological excavation of the Port Arthur workshops aims to uncover more information about the penal colony.
The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced consultants to undertake the design and approval stages of a proposed new Collection Store development
Adult $25 
12:20pm; 1:00pm; 1:40pm & 2:20pm daily 
