Miss Porter’s House

Built in 1909 by Herbert Porter for his new bride Florence, the Miss Porter’s House is a freestanding Edwardian terrace building. The Porters ran a business in Hunter Street, immediately behind the house. Herbert and Florence had two daughters, Ella, and Hazel, who lived in the house their whole lives. Unfortunately, Herbert died in the 1919 influenza epidemic at the age of 41.

The last surviving daughter, Hazel died in 1997, since then the house has been cared for by a volunteer Management Committee of the National Trust. The house is unique because it was only occupied by the one family. Unlike most National Trust houses, which have been reburnished to represent a particular time period, Miss Porter’s House has its original furnishings.

Original Kitchen and Kitchenette

As part of the reconstruction work, following the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, the sisters had the laundry and bathroom reconfigured. The resulting kitchenette contains a small 1935 electric stove.

Containing the old wood fuelled range, the original kitchen also displayed items from the early twentieth century.

Ceilings

The decorated pine wood ceilings are beautiful and a highlight of the building, because of their rarity.

Parlour

Green glassware was on display in the parlour, along with 1939 lounge suite. Other furnishings and decorations were Art Deco, along with a 1920s gramophone.

Upstairs Bedrooms

Two bedrooms make up the upstairs area. Both have the original bed and clothing. Even the receipt for the bedroom furniture was found, the Porters appear to have thrown nothing out.