Mend & Make Do as Practised by the Porter Women

See how, in the early twentieth century, sustainability was practised. Just like great-grandmothers Florence, Ella and Hazel Porter made, mended and recycled clothing, shoes, furniture, soap, flour bags and much more. Frugal habits and careful budgeting meant that the Porters really did MEND & MAKE DO.
People who lived through the Depression years of the 1930s and the Second World War learnt to reuse and recycle, often continuing through life. The Porter women made their own clothes, remodelled older clothes and mended tears and rips. They knitted, crocheted and sewed, made baskets, embroidered pillowslips and stencilled tablecloths. Whatever could be repaired, was repaired. Sustainability was practised.
Explore the workings of household equipment from the early to mid 1900s – the soap saver/sud maker, a butter cooler, a darning egg and see how flour bags, that once contained flour, were reused.

Adults $12, Concessions $10, Family $34, NT Members/Children under 5 free.

1pm – 4pm, Miss Porters House Museum, 434 King Street, Newcastle West