During this program students will learn about what life was like for the Wentworth family and their servants at Vaucluse House in the 1860s.
Working as history detectives, they will investigate the bedrooms, kitchen, drawing room, scullery, and kitchen garden for clues that help them understand how a grand mansion functioned in the 1860s.
As well as exploring the house and estate, students will participate in a range of activities, to get 'hands-on' with the past.
These include:
doing the washing by hand in the service courtyard
completing tasks in the kitchen – such as polishing cutlery, grinding spices and churning butter
planting a bean seed in the kitchen garden (which they take home), and
sampling children's clothes from the 1860s in the family nursery
By the end of the program, your students will be able to explain how the Wentworth family lived and contrast that experience to how the servants lived.
Importantly, as they see how all the jobs were done without the benefits of running water or an electricity supply, students will also be able to make comparisons to how they live today.
To cater for large groups, the program also includes a teacher-led component that includes:
a walk to the estate's waterfall
a chance to visit the horse stables
opportunities to play 19th-century games, such as croquet, skittles, cup and ball, quoits, and hoop and stick.
You can prepare your group for a visit to Vaucluse House with an 'Excursion Introduction' listed under Resources. These introductions are suitable for teachers of children with ASD in integrated classrooms.
Stage 1 History
Present and Past Family Life
Key inquiry questions:
How has family life changed or remained the same over time?
How can we show that the present is different from or similar to the past?
HT1-1 Communicates an understanding of change and continuity in family life using appropriate historical terms
HT1-4 Demonstrates skills of historical inquiry and communication
The Past in the Present
Key inquiry questions:
What aspects of the past can you see today?
How have changes in technology shaped our daily life?
HT1-3 Describes the effects of changing technology on people’s lives over time
HT1-4 Demonstrates skills of historical inquiry and communication
Similar programs: Now and Then; The Way We Were
Complementary programs: How Does Your Garden Grow?
Up to 15 students: $165 Up to 30 students: $300 Up to 45 students: $450 Up to 60 students: $600 Up to 75 students: $750 Up to 90 students: $850
You can alter your booking numbers up until 7 days prior to your visit.We will call you a week before your booking to confirm final numbers and requirements.You will be invoiced for the full cost of your program a week prior to your booking.Payment can be made by Credit Card, EFTPOS or cheque (payable to Historic Houses Trust of NSW).Cancellations made within 7 days of a booking will incur the full cost for the program.Cancellations made within 2 weeks of your visit will be invoiced for 50% of the total booking.Cancellations must be made in writing.
Please plan to arrive before the start time of your booked program to allow for cloaking, toilet visits and/or a refreshment break for the students. If you arrive late, some elements and activities may need to be cut from the program to keep to the scheduled finish time.
Large groups will be divided up into smaller groups for activities in the museums.
Bags, food and drinks are not permitted in the museums and cloaking facilities are provided.
Photography policies vary between the museums so please ask a member of staff for details.
Teachers and carers are required to remain with their groups at all times.
Disciplining students remains the responsibility of teachers and carers accompanying the group.
Please let us know before your visit if any of your students have special needs or learning difficulties so we can plan to accommodate their needs during the visit.
1 hour 30 minutes presenter led program followed by 1 hour 30 minutes teacher supervised game playing
Session offered
Monday to Friday
Maximum students
45 per session
Supervision ratios
The supervision ratio is 1:10 for primary groups and 1:15 for secondary groups. Teachers and parents attend free of charge at these ratios. One carer per student with special needs will be admitted free of charge
Additional visitor costs
Each additional visitor will be charged at the concession rate of $12.
As students are guided through the property, they discover that the household lived without the benefits of running water, bathrooms, electricity, appliances or paved roads