Open Days at Miss Porter’s House

There’s always something unique to see at Miss Porter’s House, opening monthly with a new theme to unveil different facets of this unique house museum and the fascinating family who called it home.

 

Built by the Porter family in 1909 and left to the National Trust (NSW) with all its contents in 1997, Miss Porter’s House is a unique living snapshot of twentieth century life in Newcastle. Visitors will enjoy exploring the house and grounds and browsing the furnishings and personal items which tell the story of the family over more than a century.

Step inside the Edwardian terrace to find historic rooms filled with touching stories, plus an outstanding collection of items that has been added to the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register.

Free children’s ‘Clever Detective’ activities, handmade gift stall and an immersive audio experience will complete any visit.

Miss Porter’s House opens monthly from 1pm – 4pm, celebrating a different theme:

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Sunday 13 October: The Porter Children

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.

Sunday 10 November: Mend and make do

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.

Sunday 8 December: Christmas with the Porters

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.

Sunday 26 & Monday 27 January: Made in Australia

Mark Australia Day with a visit Miss Porter’s House, a heritage home filled with special showcases of Australiana and locally manufactured items of yesteryear, on display for the occasion.

Turn the pages of newly acquired replicas of the museum’s picture card books to discover the Australia and New Zealand of the mid-twentieth century, and how attitudes to people and events have changed.

Everyone can enjoy the home created by the Australian born children of nineteenth century migrants. Children can spot the images of kookaburras, kangaroos and wattle which adorn the Porter women’s crochet, embroidery and stencil work. They’ll also find native motifs on commercial brooches, matchboxes and tea towels.

Sunday 9 February: Everyday objects

Spend the afternoon reliving the early twentieth century and marvel at how everyday life in Newcastle has changed. See unique household objects, from the everyday to the curious, and handmade treasures.
Children can test their knowledge of the appliances used before ubiquitous electrical household goods by spotting the butter cooler, mincer, flatiron and potato masher. They can imagine what life was like when washboards, soap savers and dolly pegs were common laundry items.
Turn the pages of newly acquired replicas of the museum’s notebooks, admire a 1920s portable windup gramophone and more.

Sunday 9 March: Homemade by the Porters

Marvel at the making and mending of yesteryear. Discover homemade clothing and textiles from 1910-1997, as well as exquisite crochet, lace, and embroidered household linens. Examine the 1910 treadle sewing machine, one of Florence’s early household purchases, and listen to its story via a QR code on the display.
Much of the 20th century women’s work also involved making-over and mending. Visitors can see repurposed clothing, the mending and darning of yesteryear and the creative reuse of fabrics. Learn how Florence and her daughters, Ella and Hazel, created clothing, accessories and household textiles for themselves, their home and as gifts for friends and relatives.

Sunday 13 April: Pictures from the past

Browse a special display of Newcastle life in the early twentieth century as lived by the Porter family of King Street, Newcastle. Re-live bygone days with items of Miss Porter’s House documentary history, a UNESCO Memory of the World listed collection. View treasured family snaps, prints, commercial photographs and post cards. Spot the Gas Works Office, all that remains in 2025 of the nineteenth century Steel Street Gas Works and see Ella and Hazel Porter at Cooks Hill School. Young visitors can have extra fun when the Easter Bunny makes a surprise appearance - find the golden egg to WIN a basket of tiny Easter goodies.

Sunday 11 May: The magic of Mother's Day

Treat mum to a slice of history and celebrate three generations of remarkable women. Enjoy special displays of memorabilia which reveal early European settlers, businesspeople, employees and active community members, as well as wives and mothers. Using QR coded signage visitors can hear migration stories, how businesses were built and flourished and how education helped the Porter sisters support their widowed mother and survive a disastrous earthquake. Celebrate the Porter women on Mother’s Day as you enjoy a tour of the house, listen to amazing stories and browse the homemade craft and plant stall.

Tickets

Book via Eventbrite where possible, to guarantee a spot.

 

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Miss Porter's House collection item Four children form a line in front of a red brick wall, under the shade of an old tree. Children hold white participation certificates. Miss Porter's House places to visit in NSW

Plan your visit

Miss Porter’s House

Address:

434 King Street, Newcastle West, NSW 2302

Open:

Second Sunday of each month, 1 - 4pm

Australia Day 1 - 4pm

Closed:

January

Phone:
(02) 4927 0202
Entry Fees:

National Trust members – FREE
Adult - $12
Concession* -$10
Family - $34
Child (under 5 years) – FREE
*Concession applies for full-time students, seniors, pensioners and children aged 5-15 years.

How to book your tickets

Tickets can be purchased at the door or booked in advance to guarantee your spot. Booking fees apply.
Book a ticket now.
Terms and Conditions of Entry apply.

For group visits to Miss Porter's House: Group visits.

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