This room has been used continually since 1816.

It was originally two separate offices that were constructed as part of the northern wing of the Rum Hospital building.

From 1829 to 1850 this room was occupied by the Clerk of the Executive Council; a role established to serve the principal executive body of the government and oversee the administration of matters relating to the Parliament.

In the 1850s to 1860 the room was the Parliament House refreshment room, which was served by a kitchen attached to the rear of the building.

From 1860, the room was used as the Parliamentary Library, until the inauguration of the purpose-built Jubilee Library across the corridor in 1906.

The room retained a library function until the Tower building was completed and a purpose-built library was relocated in 1984.

Since the mid-1980s, the room has been used as a meeting space.

On 25 May 2001, the room was named in honour of Sir Henry Parkes (1815-1896), who served as Premier of New South Wales five times. He is commonly referred to as the ‘Father of the Federation’ for his role in advancing the cause of uniting the Australian colonies.

The room was named in his honour, as part of the Parliament’s commemoration of the Centenary of Australian Federation in 2001.