While you’re probably accustomed to visiting museums and galleries in person did you know there’s a whole treasure trove of online exhibitions being hosted on websites?

One of our favourites is the NSW Migration Heritage Centre website. The great thing about this site is that it collects migration stories from people all over NSW.

There’s a rich assortment of material in this virtual migration museum; stories sourced at the local level and brought to life in partnership with the Powerhouse Museum collections and curatorial teams. Some of the stories result in object based exhibitions in rural and regional museums and libraries as well as being displayed online.

Some of our favourites are those where the migrant community has had a real impact on the flavor of the area in which they settled. Have a look at the Griffith Italian Trail. M&G NSW loves this online exhibition which documents local sites including Our Lady of Pompeii church, the Calapari Boot Repair establishment and more importantly the site of the first soccer match!

But our favourite part of this little display introduces you to the buildings in Banna Avenue. This row of Art Deco shops with original curved glass display windows, still in use today, were built in the 50s by southern Italian builder Francesco Battaglia. They are seriously retro and seriously beautiful!

The Migration Heritage Centre is one of those organisations that plays nicely with everyone else. They work away at documenting and curating a collection of migrant stories which have enriched and bolstered Australian culture since the Chinese arrived for the Gold Rushes.

Take a look!