There are three houses on Coventry Street in South Melbourne that are among the few nineteenth century prefabricated iron buildings remaining in the world.

The three prefabricated cottages on the site are constructed of iron and wood imported from Britain during the gold rush years.

399 Coventry Street (Patterson House) is on its original site and the other two cottages (Abercrombie and Bellhouse) were rescued from demolition and moved to Coventry Street by the National Trust for preservation.

An informative video gives an interesting insight into the importation of portable buildings and there are interpretative panels to assist visitors. Volunteers are on duty to answer questions.

Open the first Sunday of each month except January from 1pm to 4pm