Portable Iron Houses

399 Coventry St, South Melbourne, Melbourne 3205. Melways: 2JK2

Phone: 9699 2172 or 9645 7517 for Bookings

Open: 1–4pm on first Sunday of each month (excluding January) or by appointment

Volunteers will open the property at other times for private groups by arrangement.

Admission prices: $5 adult, $3 concession/children, free entry to National Trust Members

Description:

There are three houses on Coventry Street, South Melbourne that are among the few 19th century prefabricated iron buildings remaining in the world.

The three prefabricated cottages on site 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.

Volunteers will also open the property at other times for private groups by arrangement.

History:

The arrival of thousands of fortune hunters in the Colony in the early 1850s placed an enormous strain on the limited accommodation of the pastoral township of Melbourne.

On the slopes of “Emerald Hill”, a “canvas town” of tents and other temporary buildings set in an orderly street pattern grew into the present suburb of South Melbourne. By 1855, nearly one hundred portable buildings including cottages, two-storey houses, shops, stores and a coach house were erected in the vicinity of Coventry Street. Number 399 still stands on its original site close to the road followed by thousands of gold-diggers making their way to Melbourne and the gold fields beyond.

Patterson House

Five six-roomed houses, each valued at 60 pounds, were erected in Coventry Street in 1853 / 54. In 1855, fourteen of a smaller size valued at 30 pounds each appeared in Patterson Place.
Robert Patterson established this little colony of portable houses and his stenciled initials “R.P.” and shipping numbers were revealed on the walls after they were stripped of wallpapers, showing that the wooden crates were used as partition walls. The windows are generally cast iron casement and in one case the frame has a lower panel of corrugated iron, so that the whole opens as a French window.
The occupants of these houses included civil servants, builders, an auctioneer and also John Danks, the well known ironmonger. He and his brother Samuel lived with their families in Patterson Lane.

Abercrombie House

Moved from 59 Arden Street, North Melbourne, this house is believed to have been manufactured by Moorewood & Rogers of London. It was first occupied by Andrew Abercrombie and was last lived in in 1976. At some time the house must have been divided – look for connecting doors between the rooms which have been papered over later. There are about 6 to 8 different layers of wallpaper over a lining of newspaper or canvas.
A brick outline on the paving shows where the kitchen was placed. Because of the fire hazard, kitchens were usually added outside.

Bellhouse House

Dismantled and removed from its original site at 42 Moor Street, Fitzroy, this building is believed to be the only remaining example of the work of Edward T Bellhouse of Manchester, England, anywhere in the world. In 1851 he displayed his portable houses at the Great Exhibition. According to one description they were provided with boarded floors, ceilings and walls, wallpaper, carpets, furniture and a water closet! It is not known whether this cottage had all these accessories and its ceiling had a lath and plaster finish.

Tours/Booking:

Location: 399 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, Melway Map Ref: 2J K2.
Public Transport: Tram No. 96 West from Bourke Street to South Melbourne Station.
Open: first Sunday of each month from 1pm–4pm or weekday groups by appointment only.
Closed: 20 December to 6 January.
Enquiries: 03 9645 7517 and 03 9699 2172

A private opening of the houses can be organised by appointment for groups of six or more.
The cost of these special openings will vary dependant on what is involved. Enquiries may be made to 03 9645 7517 or 9699 2172

Guided walks around South Melbourne:

Join us on an enjoyable 1.5 hour guided walk around Emerald Hill – the early name for South Melbourne. These run on the third Sunday of the month and will also open to the Public on those afternoons from 1pm-4pm.

Please visit our Events page for more details.

Getting There: