History Or Hoarding? With Annabel Crabb

Plagued by the question "Am I a hoarder?" journalist Annabel Crabb visits Australia's oldest library and learns that her own issues with 'collecting' historical items are MINOR. The State Library of NSW is known for books, but its underground vaults are teeming with oddities: Bits of Henry Lawson. Military antiques. HUMAN HAIR! This episode's speakers: Maggie Patton - Head of Collection Acquisition & Curation Louise Anemaat - Executive Director, Library and Information Services and Dixson Librarian Richard Neville - Mitchell Librarian Damien Webb - Manager of the Indigenous Engagement Branch  Search for this episode's treasures in the SLNSW collection: Mary Shelley Lock of hair 1851  Portraits of John and Harriet Blaxland attached to ropes of plaited hair - 1880s Sir Charles FitzRoy c 1855 - Henry Robinson Smith Bicorn, or cocked hat, belonging to Matthew Flinders ca. 1800 A Young Mount Pitt bird - Sydney Bird Painter 1792 An Aboriginal Man 1810-1821? - Unknown  To hear the rest of the History Or Hoarding? podcast series, or for more of the best history podcasts covering Australian history, global history including war, politics, literature and some of the most interesting people, moments and turning points in history, go to ABC listen Australia's history tab or the ABC Australia channel or wherever you get your podcasts. To add the History Or Hoarding? podcast to your playlist, just tap 'favourite' or 'follow' on your app and you'll never miss an episode. Presenter: Annabel Crabb Researcher: Julia O’Shea Audio Engineer: Harvey O’Sullivan Supervising Producer: Rachael Cusick Executive Producers: Eric George and Carmel Rooney Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

Annabel Crabb — who personally struggles to declutter, just ask Annabel's husband — visits Australia's oldest library and immediately feels better about her own habits. Above ground, this place is all books. But below? There are letters, maps, old restaurant menus, military antiques, coin collections, stamps, walking sticks, an upsetting amount of HUMAN HAIR, and — most importantly — some incredible stories that capture our history in unique ways. Join Annabel as she dives into the secret stacks and collections of Australia's oldest library, State Library of NSW, uncovering strange, forgotten and fascinating National treasures. Episode 1 of the podcast will be available from 22 April 2026, tap 'favourite' or 'follow' now to add it to your podcast playlist on the ABC listen app, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presenter: Annabel Crabb Researcher: Julia O'Shea Audio Engineer: Harvey O'Sullivan Supervising Producer: Rachael Cusick Executive Producers: Eric George and Carmel Rooney Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn