Open Days at Miss Porter’s House

The Miss Porter’s House Documentary Heritage Collection 1910-1997 is inscribed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register, joining priceless items like the First Fleet Journals. Marvel at some of these nationally recognised documents from the collection, noted for their historical significance and comprehensive, sometimes quirky coverage of the domestic life of a household of ordinary women living in a regional town throughout most of the twentieth century. Also on display are a collection of rarely seen unique and beautiful family objects that are not to be missed.

From colonial beginnings as farmers on Ash Island and in the Singleton area, to their key role in the commercial life of Newcastle’s West End, the Porters made an important contribution to city life for well over one hundred years. Working women, carriers, grocers, businesspeople, and active citizens were all part of this notable Newcastle West family. Their stories are told in a special display of stunning photographs, memorabilia, documents and immersive audio stories.

Miss Porter’s House has a garden which is quite remarkable. It is a rare example of a modest Edwardian town garden of which few examples survive. The near century long residence by one family, with limited means and cautious habits, means that visitors can continue to enjoy the house and its small garden today, both relatively untouched and retaining many of their key elements.
Carefully tended by its dedicated volunteers, the Miss Porter’s House garden has been maintained in a way which reflects its use by the Porter family. Celebrate spring and see everything floral in the house and garden and perhaps, take home a momento from the plant stall.

Visitors can turn the pages of newly acquired replicas of the museum’s schoolbooks to discover what Hazel learned in hygiene class, how she was taught to draw, and the poems thought suitable for small children.

Browse school magazines, photographs, reports, certificates and prizes, all of which paint a fascinating picture of school life. Children can compare their own school photographs with those of Ella and Hazel and check how their classrooms and reports differ.

Wonderful toys from the Miss Porter’s House collection are also on display, including tin-plate mechanical toys and early dolls made from wood and cloth.

Following the death of their father in 1919, the young Porter girls, Ella and Hazel, worked as secretaries, typists and shop assistants supporting themselves and Florence, their widowed mother. Just like great-grandmother, Florence, the girls made, mended and recycled clothing, shoes, furniture, soap, flour bags and much more. Their careful lifestyle was a necessity.

See the evidence of a sustainable lifestyle at Miss Porter’s House.

Discover how Ella and Hazel budgeted for their pup Cooee, kept track of their purchases and noted every expensive phone call.

Children can explore the workings of the soap saver, the butter cooler, a darning egg and devise new uses for the many flour bags.

Experience an Edwardian Christmas. See how the Porter family celebrated with cards, decorations, and toys during the early years of the twentieth century and browse a range of homemade Christmas goodies for sale.

Children can compare their own Christmas presents with those given to Ella and Hazel Porter. Christmas gifts were few in number; a doll or tiny tea set would have been cherished and the favourite Christmas Annual eagerly anticipated. Books and toys were expensive and valued possessions.

Snap a photo beside the Edwardian-themed Christmas Tree and marvel at decorations made from only paper, wood, glass, and fabrics, no flashing electric lights or musical elves.