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 & CurationLouise Anemaat - Executive Director, Library and Information Services and Dixson LibrarianRichard Neville - Mitchell LibrarianDamien 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 - 1880sSir Charles FitzRoy c 1855 - Henry Robinson SmithBicorn, or cocked hat, belonging to Matthew Flinders ca. 1800A Young Mount Pitt bird - Sydney Bird Painter 1792An 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 CrabbResearcher: Julia O’SheaAudio Engineer: Harvey O’SullivanSupervising Producer: Rachael CusickExecutive Producers: Eric George and Carmel RooneyHead of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

Aflevering-ID: 1000762939817

GUID: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/history-or-hoarding-with-annabel-crabb/i-found-a-hair-in-my-library/106542212

Releasedatum: 21-4-2026 21:00:00