Step Back in Time at Miss Porter’s House
Sitting at 434 King Street, Newcastle West, the unassuming two-storey Edwardian brick terrace, Miss Porter’s House, offers a fascinating journey back in time. Built in 1910 for the Porter family, the house was commissioned by Herbert Porter, who purchased the land from his father, James, a well-known local businessman.
Herbert and Florence Jolley Porter moved into their new home, welcoming daughters Ella and Hazel in 1911 and 1914. Tragedy struck in 1919 when Herbert succumbed to the global flu pandemic. Despite the loss, Florence managed to keep the house, living there with her daughters until she died in 1975.
Ella and Hazel Porter continued to reside in the home for the rest of their lives. Upon Hazel’s death in 1997, she bequeathed the house and its contents to the National Trust NSW. Ella had passed away two years earlier, in 1995.
Miss Porter’s House was added to the NSW Heritage Register in 2000 and in 2023, its extensive collection was recognised by the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register. This prestigious accolade honours the house’s rich documentary heritage from 1910 to 1997, advocating for its preservation.
Debbie Mills, CEO of the National Trust NSW, describes Miss Porter’s House as a “snapshot in time.” Visitors can observe the evolution of household items over the decades, from the original iron to those used 50 and 80 years later. The home’s preservation is a testament to the dedication of volunteers and staff who have conserved its original contents.
Interestingly, Miss Porter’s House stands alone in an area that has never been primarily residential. Herbert’s father, James Porter, owned several properties along Hunter Street and operated his businesses there. The area, known then as ‘Lock’s Paddock,’ was vibrant and diverse.
Debbie Mills remarks on the neighbourhood’s colourful past, suggesting it was a lively hub for new migrant communities and even a red-light district. James Porter saw potential in moving his shop to this bustling area to cater to the new community.
The house is unique for its historical architecture and because Hazel Porter’s donation included all personal and household items, creating a comprehensive snapshot of the sisters’ lives.
Inside, the home retains many original features from its 1909 construction alongside furnishings from the 1930s. The beautiful stencilled ceiling remains intact, as does the Queensland maple staircase, art deco rugs, linoleum flooring, and original light fittings.
Unlike grander National Trust properties in the Hunter, such as Brough and Grossman Houses in Maitland or Tomago House, Miss Porter’s House provides an intimate look at urban life in early 20th-century Newcastle.
The house endured significant damage during the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, temporarily displacing the sisters. With help from neighbours and the Water Board, they returned to a repaired home with the modern convenience of an indoor toilet.
For the truly curious, the entire collection of more than 5,000 objects has been photographed and can be viewed on ehive.com.
Discover more in the Winter Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.
Story by Carol Duncan.
