Stories From the Attic: An Exploration of Life in Melbourne's Germantown
+ Add to ItineraryDescription
Ziebell’s Farmhouse is an elegant bluestone farmhouse built from local basalt in 1850 by Christian and Sophia Ziebell and their nine children. Designed using typical northern European elements such as pitched roofs, adjoining rooms with no central hall and a large inhabitable attic, the farmhouse was home to five generations of dairy farmers and their families. Surrounded by an extensive cottage garden, bluestone smokehouse and cart shed, the house was the hub of the Ziebell farm named The Pines.
Whilst the history of the Ziebell family is well documented, their home, which formed part of a bigger German settlement sometimes referred to as Germantown, is not well known by Melburnians. Indeed, it is now almost hidden amongst suburbia in Thomastown. In recent years however, it has become the City of Whittlesea’s premier history museum with a unique story of migration and resilience to be told. Stories from the Attic will reveal what life was like in the Ziebell home and Germantown precinct. Germantown descendants will provide tours, insights, reflections and readings about memories of farm life, bluestone buildings and sleeping in the attic.
What's On
Stories from the Attic is a presentation that will feature experienced speakers whose lives intertwine with the stories of rustic Germantown in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Traditional life at the Ziebell farmhouse will be explored and conversations about how German and Wendish migrants shaped the culture of the region will be ignited. Insights, reflections and readings including a poetry reading will be presented, making sure that otherwise untold stories from this place are heard. There will also be a series of tours through the grounds of the farmhouse, including rare attic visits. Â
Children's Activities
A simple finger puppet making activity will be available across the weekend for young children who will make farm animal puppets. Children will also have the opportunity to draw a design for a bluestone house and have this displayed through the Ziebell Farmhouse social media channels.
Images: (1) Henry Ziebell in attic 2025. Photo: Jason Cheetham. (2) Farmhouse attic 2004. Photo: David Johns. (3) Ziebell Family sea chest, made in c.1849 2025. Photo: Lyndel Wischer. (4) Friends of Westgarthtown 175th Anniversary event 2025. Photo: Jason Cheetham. (5) Ziebell's Heritage Garden bed 2024. Photo: Lyndel Wischer.
Important Details
Tour/event summary information
Saturday 26 July
11am—5pm
General visitation throughout the museum, garden and Germantown precinct; children’s finger puppet activity
Stories from the Attic tours run 12.30pm + 2.30pm (includes supervised attic viewing)
Running for up to 60 minutes in group of 20
Bookings required
Sunday 27 July
11am—5pm
General visitation throughout the museum, garden and Germantown precinct; children’s finger puppet activity.
German story-time for children aged 0-10 years runs at 11.30am
Running for 30 minutes in a group of 10
Bookings required
Stories from the Attic tour runs 2pm (includes supervised attic viewing)
Running for 60 minutes in group of 20
Bookings required
Bookings
This program includes both open access and pre-booked components. Where bookings are required—a $7 booking fee applies
First release tickets: 12pm Wednesday 2 July
Second release tickets:Â 10am Saturday 5 July
Meeting Point
Enter Ziebell’s Farmhouse from Ainwick Crescent, Thomastown or Westgarthtown Heritage Precinct/Lalor Reserve, Lalor
No food or drink allowed inside the Farmhouse buildings
Visitors entering the attic space will be required to walk up and down a steep staircase with narrow steps.
Accessibility
Partially wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking nearby, Step-free access
Ziebell's Farmhouse & Heritage Garden is built on one level and the house and garden and toilet are wheelchair accessible. The attic is not wheelchair accessible.
