Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
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The Opening Day: 9 May 1927

Past exhibition

Open daily 9am–5pm (closed Christmas Day)

Free after admission
$2 adults, $1 children (free for children under 5 years old) and concessions, $5 family

18 King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra

Photograph of key used by the Duke of York to open Parliament House c. 1927. Image courtesy Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT

Photograph of key used by the Duke of York to open Parliament House c. 1927. Image courtesy Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT

Old Parliament House was once brand new. What was it like to be a spectator at the opening ceremony in 1927?

The Opening Day: 9 May 1927 marks the 90th anniversary of the opening of Parliament House. In 1927, the new federal Parliament in the new national capital symbolised Australian nationhood, identity and ideals. But the photographs, recollections and memorabilia of onlookers at the opening ceremony reveal unexpected stories about the life of the nation at the time.

Follow The Opening Day: 9 May 1927 around the corridors of Old Parliament House to discover the pomp and pageantry, humour and tragedy of this historic day.

The Opening Day: 9 May 1927 will be open from 2 May 2017 until May 2018. The 14-carat gold key used by the Duke of York to open the building is on display in King’s Hall for six weeks only.

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House – 90 Years Celebrating Our Democracy
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia

PO Box 3934
Manuka ACT 2603

Open daily 9am—5pm

ABN: 30 620 774 963

Telephone: 02 6270 8222

Enquiries:
info@moadoph.gov.au

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If the museum is closed due to an emergency, call for new opening times: 1800 716 066

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Old Parliament House is a Corporate Commonwealth Entity within the Communications and the Arts portfolio.