Women on the Western Front at Como House
Como House is an important Melbourne icon and a wonderful introduction to the lives of people from the past.
Como offers a glimpse into the privileged lifestyle of former owners, the Armytage family, who lived there for nearly a century.
The Armytages became famous amongst Melbourne high society and equally famous for their many elegant dances, dinners and receptions. Those elegant dining and reception rooms are still furnished with Armytage family heirlooms and even the servant’s areas, kitchen and laundry have been preserved.
Our costumed servants will introduce students to the complex social world of a well-to-do family and their servants in the 19th Century.
About the Program
Join our trained educators to hear the stories of Constance and Leila Armytage, of Como House, who ended up in France during the Great War (1914-1918), and their sisters Laura and Ada who supported the war on the home front.
Delve into selected collection items as primary source evidence such as letters, photographs and fashion which paint a picture of the experiences of women.
Students will be transported back in time, to understand the societal pressures facing women before the war, and how their lives would change forever in a post-war world.
Curriculum Links
| Subject | Strand | Sub-strand | Content descriptions | Students will… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | Historical Knowledge1 | Australians at war (1914–1945) | the reasons that Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, fought in the world wars VC2HH10K14 | Explore the motives that the Armytage sisters had to support the war effort. |
| the experiences and perspectives of those who fought or were deployed overseas, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and women VC2HH10K16 | Use primary source evidence to develop an understanding of the experiences of women during the Great War. | |||
| significant consequences of the world wars on Australian society and the experiences and historical perspectives of those on the home front, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and women VC2HH10K19 | Explore the consequences of war on the lives of women. | |||
| Historical Concepts and Skills | Historical Sources as Evidence | analyse the perspectives, beliefs, values and attitudes of people and groups based on evidence from a range of sources VC2HH10S05 | Explore the continuity and change in the lives of women from pre-1914 to post-1919, pinpointing the causes and consequences. |
Program Details
Monday – Friday during school terms.
2 hours
Minimum 15, maximum 30 students per day
Teacher/carer:student ratio: 1:12
$12 per student.
Click here to access the Task Risk Assessment document.
Como’s ground floor is wheelchair accessible, as are the grounds. Please advise our bookings team if you require accessible entrance.
To book, complete the Online Booking Form. For enquiries, email [email protected] or phone (03) 9656 9889.
Como House Education Programs
Williams Rd &, Lechlade Ave
South Yarra VIC 3141
“The Como House educational program is absolutely terrific. The students were engaged in the activities the entire time and had lots of stories to share at the end of the day. The activities were engaging and fun and they provided excellent educational benefits for students. It was great to provide students with a lived experience of life in the past.”
Related Programs
-
3D Interactive Court Room
Try visiting the interactive Court Room to get an idea of how a court works.
-
Crime and Punishment
Uncover past punishments in this tour of the Old Melbourne Gaol. Discuss corporal punishments such as the cane and the infamous cat-o-nine-tails; solitary confinement, and capital punishment.
-
Crime and Punishment
Join your guide for a tour of the notorious H Division to learn about the “prison within a prison” which housed the most dangerous inmates at Pentridge from the 1950s through to the 1980s.