You might be surprised to know that there is a small museum tucked away in Bowen Hills which might make the perfect visit for you and your children next school holidays or the next rainy day. “Miegunyah” is a house museum, a very elegant old house, built by the wealthy Perry family in 1886 for their son, Herbert, and his young bride, Leila.
With its wide verandahs, ornate balustrades and richly decorated interior it has the atmosphere of a Victorian grand home of its time. You can go through the main rooms of the dining room, drawing room, dressing room and bedrooms and also take a look “below stairs” in the kitchen and the laundry. Leila and Herbert would have had a cook, maids, a laundress and a groom to take care of the garden, the horses and the house cows in their nearby paddock which is now Perry Park, in Folkestone St, Bowen Hills.
Learn about the Victorian Era
Learn how the Perrys lived in a time when the tea caddy was locked to stop the servants getting into the sugar, the “ensuite” was a chamber pot, fallen hair strands were saved to make into brooches and pets were stuffed. The house is full of fascinating furniture from the Victorian era and there is still some from the Perry’s time; a picnic set, a beautiful, stained glass hall lamp and even a high back chair which was made by Leila herself.
My home
“Miegunyah” is an Aboriginal English word meaning “My Home” and when the house was built the streets of Bowen Hills would have been dusty, dirt tracks winding their way through the bush. The Perrys would have had magnificent views of the Brisbane River and Herbert Perry’s parents at one time owned and lived in Newstead House, a short walk from “Miegunyah” and Brisbane’s oldest residential house, built in 1846.
Miegunyah
The Queensland Women’s’ Historical Association own and run “Miegunyah” 35 Jordan Terrace, Bowen Hills and it is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am until 3pm. Admission charges are Adults $8, children $4 and Devonshire teas are $8. School excursions can be arranged with prior booking. Telephone 3252 2979 if you would like to make a booking or simply turn up. There is street parking through the week or you can take a train to Bowen Hills station and walk.
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