Students investigate how home life has been changed by the domestic and leisure technologies introduced since the late 19th century as they explore Meroogal, built in 1886.
Inside this delightful old home, students learn about the daily lives of four generations of the one family who lived in the house as they explore the drawing and sitting rooms, kitchen and main bedroom. They experience aspects of the past by dressing up in Victorian children’s costumes, playing with toys and games, and winding up a gramophone to listen to a record.
Students explore 19th-century technologies by engaging with everyday household items. A chamber pot, meat safe and wood stove evoke ideas of what life was like in the past compared with their own lives.
Outside in the garden, students pump water from the well by hand before playing 19th-century games such as quoits, cup and ball, marbles and jacks.
Prepare your group for a visit 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 question:
How has family life changed or remained the same over time?
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?
HT1-2 Identifies and describes significant people, events, places and sites in the local community over time
HT1-3 Describes the effects of changing technology on people’s lives over time
Up to 15 students: $165 Up to 20 students: $300 Up to 35 students: $450 Up to 50 students: $600 Up to 70 students: $750
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.
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