This paper delves into RACS’ diverse and extensive heritage collections found in the College archive and museum. The museum collection is comprised of artworks, historic furniture, diplomatic gifts, textiles, rare and historic books and antique and some contemporary surgical instruments. The archives include private papers of eminent surgeons and records which show the development of the College. Examples mentioned will be the Sidcup collection connected to Queen Mary’s Hospital which operated during World War 1. The surgeons here assisted many soldiers from Australia and New Zealand. The collection includes black and white photographs, X-rays, diagrams and medical case sheets as well as watercolours of soldiers pre-operation by war artist Daryl Lindsay , and rare plaster casts used for the development of facial prosthetics. The surgical instrument collection includes Lister’s carbolic spray, Syme’s knife as well examples from many of the surgical specialities showing how they have evolved. Professor Archibald Watson’s illustrated surgical diaries (1882-1936) share a perspective on his many overseas travels to observe of the operations of his colleagues. They are now an important historical record of surgery and medicine. The Cowlishaw collection acquired in 1943,consists of 2000 volumes of rare books dating from 1485. The early books including the incunabula are unique examples of 15th and 16th century printed books. RACS’s vast and intriguing collections offer the viewer opportunities for research and help demonstrate how the discipline of surgery evolved.