The UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Program honours documentary heritage of significance for Australia and the world, and advocates for its preservation.

Built in 1909 Miss Porter’s House is home to a significant collection that sheds light on life in Newcastle throughout the 20^th century.  Items range from scrapbooks reflecting the leisure activities of the Porter family, to notebooks recording grocery purchases, craft materials, and even the cost of keeping their pet dog, Cooee.

The National Trust has cared for Miss Porter’s House since 1997, and it’s thanks to the hard work of volunteers and staff that the original contents of the Edwardian terrace have been conserved and protected.

“It is an honour to see the treasured collection at Miss Porter’s House recognised on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register,” said Annabel Senior, Chair of the Miss Porter’s House Management Committee. “Through the constant care and dedication of volunteers and staff, this rare documentary heritage has made its way onto the Register and can now be widely shared with Australians for generations to come.”

The National Trust looks after a vast collection of objects in over 18 historic houses and galleries across New South Wales.

National Trust (NSW) Chief Executive Officer Debbie Mills said the Miss Porter’s House collection represents a significant contribution to NSW heritage preservation.

“The Miss Porter’s House collection tells a rare and comprehensive story of one family over nearly a century,” she said. “We feel very privileged to be the custodians of such a unique time capsule, and we are thrilled to see the collection acknowledged on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register.”

A formal ceremony announcing the new inscriptions to the Australian Register will be held online on Friday 14 April 2023.

Find out more

Miss Porter’s House is  open the second Sunday of each month from 1pm-4pm. Plan a visit.

Find out more about the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Program.