Bradfield's Bridge: A Rare Collection on Show

Bradfields Bridge A Rare Collection on Show
Rare drawings, plans, photos and papers on the planning and construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, are now showing in a new exhibition at the University's Rare Books Library, mounted largely from the personal collection of JJC Bradfield himself.

After decades of planning stretching back into the nineteenth century, it was Bradfield, principal design engineer for the NSW Public Works Department and a Sydney University graduate, who was largely responsible for finally bringing the Sydney Harbour Bridge to fruition.

Amongst objects on show from the Rare Books Library's Bradfield Collection are newly discovered photos of the construction of the bridge, a 7-metre plan of the bridge, contracts and reports on tenders, memorabilia from the opening ceremony, reports on proposed railways for Sydney, and Bradfield's 1924 thesis for his University of Sydney doctorate of science.

There are photos too of the 'incident' that added drama to the opening of the bridge in 1932 when Captain Francis De Groot, disguised as a military horseman, rode up and slashed the ribbon with his sword before Premier Lang could do the honours.

Bradfield's Bridge was opened on 22 November by Peter Lalor, author of the recently published book The Bridge.

The exhibition can be viewed in the Rare Books Library, on level 2