The Female Factory at Parramatta
On Thursday 15 October our outing is a 90-minute guided walking tour of the Parramatta Female Factory, 5 Fleet St North Parramatta.
This immersive tour will bring to life the extraordinary stories of the women and children who shaped the colony’s early history, including the experience of being a convict, how they lived, what they did and what happened to them.
The majority of women convicts housed at the Female Factory were engaged in the manufacture of wool and linen. A smaller number were employed as hospital nurses and midwives, servants to officers, or in caring for orphans.
The tour will commence at 10 am. It is mostly flat although there are a few spots where the ground is uneven. Closed shoes should be worn. There are rest spots along the way. Members are asked to assemble 15 minutes prior to departure at the Parramatta Female Factory Bicentenary Memorial Wall situated under a large tree near the main entrance.
Cost $20/pp. Maximum number 32
Following the tour we have a booking in the Heritage Room, Havenstone, 5 Fleet St, a short walk from the female factory. Havenstone is a walk-in dining venue which does not take bookings. However they have reserved their Heritage Room for us where they offer a platter of sandwiches/ wraps and garden salad with choice of coffee, soft drink, water or tea for $22 pp. We can pay individually at the restaurant. Orders from the menu are not possible for a group.
Final numbers for lunch are required 3 days prior to the event. I will send registrants an email 3 days prior to obtain the number required for catering
Although there is no parking on site, 4-hour parking is available in Fleet Street.
Free parking is available at the Parramatta Leagues Club parking station except during major games (Eels or Panthers). It is a 600m walk to the Female Factory.
By rail and light rail: Take the train to Parramatta, exit to Parramatta Square, take the light rail to the Ngara stop and follow the footpath to cross Greenup Drive to the Female Factory (250m).
Kim
