There
are a number of historic houses at Port Arthur that have been restored
and furnished to offer visitors an insight into daily life at the
settlement. While most date from the convict ere, some date from the
post-convict township of Carnarvon.
Port Arthur Guides are now offering daily talks in two of the most
popular of the convict-era Museum Houses at Port Arthur. Visitors can
join them to hear about the history of the house and details about some
of the occupants, their lifestyles, the conservation of the building,
and some of the highlights of the house's furnishing and design.
Junior Medical Officers House
The Junior Medical Officers House (1848) was originally built for the
Commissariat Officer Thomas J. Lempriere. It is one of five houses
which form Civil Officers Row. This building, along with the Parsonage
(1842), The Accountant's House (1842), The Magistrate's and Surgeon's
House (1847) and the Roman Catholic Chaplain's House (1843), were all
constructed during the 1840s and intended for the most important
officials of the settlement.
Commandants House
The Commandant was Port Arthur’s most senior official. A residence
befitting his rank and position was erected on high ground on the fringe
of settlement in 1833.
The Commandant's House, originally built as a simple wooden cottage,
had a commanding view over the rest of the settlement. It evolved over
the years to become a many-roomed complex fringed by ornate gardens and
pathways and separated from the rest of settlement by high masonry
walls.
As Tasmania’s period of convict transportation drew to a close in the
late 19th century, the building changed hands to become the Carnarvon
Hotel in 1885 and then a guest house which operated until the 1930s.
Talks schedule
To hear these talks, simply be at the respective museum house at the
times listed below. Access to these talks is included in the cost of
Site entry.
Junior Medical Officers House
10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
Commandants House
11.30pm, 1.30pm and 3.30pm
More information: www.portarthur.org.au/museumhouses
A Port Arthur Guide with visitors at the Junior Medical Officers House
Visitors inside the Junior Medical Officers House at Port Arthur
The imposing Commandants House at Port Arthur
The Junior Medical Officers House.
Photos by Alastair Bett