Trash or Treasure? Souvenirs of travel

Discover a diverse array of souvenirs collected by pilgrims, sailors, soldiers, cruise passengers, holiday makers and tourists.

The ritual of acquiring souvenirs has been carried out by travellers for hundreds of years. A souvenir serves as a tangible reminder of a destination visited when the traveller returns home. It can evoke memories and encourage the owner to pass on personal stories to friends and family.

Find out why the first mass produced souvenirs were badges made for pilgrims in medieval Europe. Experience the story of a Sydney family that travelled to Europe in the 19th century and returned with oil paintings, alabaster figures and studio photographs of their Italian encounter.

View ingenious mementos of wartime including a belt made from butterfly wings. Emigrants to Australia bartered with traders selling mementos of Egypt from bumboats in the Suez Canal.

Many tourists on cruise ships return to shore with a souvenir emblazoned with the name of their floating home. Consider how Australian places, people and culture have been represented in kitsch, unique and beautiful souvenirs from the 1890s until today.

Exhibition shown at Australian National Maritime Museum 5 July 2008 - 17 May 2009

Do you have a favourite travel souvenir?

Have you ever gone to great lengths to acquire a souvenir?

Do you still yearn for the one that could have been?

The winner of our $200 voucher to the Australian National Maritime Museum Store was Sanchia with her story about her souvenir coins from Russia. Congratulations Sanchia!