Plants, Pills and Potions

Through these programmes, students gain insight into different lives and key events in the history of the early colony, the hardships and achievements of James Ruse, a poor farmer, and the power and affluence of John Harris, a military surgeon. Comparisons will be made between colonial and indigenous ways of life, and how one impacted the other. Activities include seed-planting, early water-carrying techniques, plant identification (native and introduced) and colonial medicine-making and housekeeping.

Booking price includes downloadable pre- and post-visit lesson packs to help you get the best learning outcomes from your excursion to our iconic historic property.

 

Stage 2 – PLANTS, PILLS AND POTIONS

History – Technology – Geography
Updated December 2019

Visit the very spot where James Ruse’s successful experiment in self-sufficient farming changed the course of Australian history. Participate in crop-growing activities, investigate equipment and technology and consider the challenges faced by the early colonists.

Explore the surgery of wealthy landowner John Harris and examine the medical equipment used in colonial times. Explore our ‘physic garden’ and make a plant-based medicinal remedy used during Harris’s lifetime.

STUDENTS WILLAUSTRALIAN CURRICULUMNSW SYLLABUS
Consider the events and people who lived at Experiment Farm and the contributions they made to the colony.ACHASSI052
ACHASSI055
ACHASSI073
ACHASSI076
ACHASSK085
ACHASSK110
HT2-2
Draw connections between their own lives and the lives of those who lived at Experiment Farm.ACHASSK088
ACHASSI002
ACHASSI026
ACHASSI039
HT 2-2
Participate in planting, herb identification and consider the uses of herbs in colonial medicine.ACHASSK088
ACHASSI007
ACHASSI008
HT2-4
HT2-5
Participate in the creation of poultices (external herbal remedies) and discuss their use during the 18th and 19th centuries.ACHASSI102
ACHASSI130
ST2-7MW-T
HT2-5
Discuss food scarcity and farming methods of the 18th and 19th century that were used at Experiment Farm. Consider the impact these methods had on the lives of local Aboriginal people.ACHASSK062
ACHASSK086
ACHASSK088
ACHASSK107
ACHASSK112
ACHASSK113
ST2-5LW-T
HT2-4
HT2-5

 


Booking Information

Maximum number of students: 60

Teachers: minimum 1 to 10 pupils

Cost: $10 per student

Joint bookings with Old Government House programmes: $22 per pupil

Education Booking Enquiry - Parramatta

Booking Enquiry form for Old Government House & Experiment Farm Cottage

Call to action section

Teacher's Resources

Resources for teachers planning an excursion to Experiment Farm Cottage.

Download Risk Assessment

Plan your visit

Plants, Pills and Potions

Address:

9 Ruse Street, Harris Park NSW 2150

Open:

First and third Friday and Saturday of the month
10.30am – 3.30pm, last entry 3pm

Phone:
(02) 9635 8149
Email:
ogh@nationaltrust.com.au
What we offer:

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