Description

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) acquired these Portable Iron Houses for permanent preservation because of their rarity and technological interest. The houses at 399 Coventry Street, South Melbourne are rare surviving examples of houses that were manufactured in the UK and shipped to Australia as a solution to a lack of housing during the 1850s.

The houses came with instructions and all necessary components including walls, floors, windows, and bolts etc... so that they could be assembled by most people. They could also be moved if necessary, hence the term 'portable' iron houses.

In 1854, the local rates book showed more than 100 portable iron houses in the vicinity of Coventry Street. Patterson House, at 399 Coventry Street is the last of these houses remaining on its original site. Two other houses at the rear of the site have been moved from North Melbourne and Fitzroy to ensure their preservation. All three houses are open to the public.

What's On

Three portable iron houses will be open to visitors to explore during self-guided tours. National Trust volunteer guides will be available on site to provide information and answer questions. Visitors will be able to watch a video about the history of the houses, learning about the shortage of housing in Melbourne in the early 1850s and that prior to 1852, South Melbourne was a tent city with no permanent housing.