Hidden amongst our city buildings, you may have driven past Miss Porter’s House a hundred times without realizing it was there. It’s an unsuspecting National Trust property nestled in-between buildings on King Street in Newcastle.
A Home Frozen in Time
What makes Miss Porter’s House so special is that nothing has been staged or recreated. The house and everything in it were left exactly as they were lived in by generations of the Porter family.
Herbert Porter built the split-level home in 1909, and the Porter family lived there until 1997. When Miss Hazel Porter passed the house on to the National Trust, she left behind every item inside it too.
The home has survived the twentieth century, including the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, and still holds a fernery on its Eastern side, a rare feature you won’t find in other renovated homes around the city.
Meeting the People Who Keep the Story Alive
Visitors are warmly welcomed by Jean, one of the museum’s curators, whose knowledge and love for the house make it come alive.
Jean and a dedicated committee run the house, and on Museum Open Days you’ll find a room guide stationed in each room, ready with stories and facts about what’s on display.
Many of the room guides are retired teachers, which shows. They have a real knack for keeping kids interested in history that could otherwise feel a bit dry.
Things for Kids to Do
The house committee has put together activities to help children engage with the space. Kids are given photo cards showing items found around the house, then head from room to room hunting for matches and ticking them off as they go, a bit like a game of history bingo.
It’s a simple activity, but it works well for keeping young visitors curious and moving through the rooms at their own pace.
What You’ll See Inside
Expect over 100 years of collectables, including clothing, fabrics and furnishings dating from 1909 to 1940.
The upstairs bedrooms tend to be the highlight for most visitors, with handmade dresses and handbags that belonged to the women of the house on full display.
Dressing tables are lined with brushes, combs, powder puffs and antique mirrors. There’s genuinely a lot to look at, and you could easily spend an afternoon taking it all in.
Unlike most museums, there are no glass cases here. Everything is left out just as it was, which gives the whole house a lived-in feel rather than a museum one.
A visit to Miss Porter’s House tends to spark conversation long after you leave, with many families finding themselves thinking about which of their own belongings might still matter in 100 years.
Visiting Miss Porter’s House
Miss Porter’s House is open every 2nd Sunday of each month (February – December) and Australia Day 1 – 4 pm.
Entry Fees:
- National Trust members (and children under 5 yrs) – Free
- Adults – $12
- Concession – $10
- Family – $34
For more information about Miss Porter’s House, visit the National Trust website.