Experiment Farm Cottage stands on the site of Australia’s first land grant, given to ex-convict James Ruse in 1789 by Governor Phillip “in order to know in what time a man might be able to support himself” (Phillip).

By 1791 Ruse was self-sufficient. His industry was rewarded with a further land grant of 30 acres. Known as Experiment Farm, the
property was purchased by Surgeon John Harris in 1793, who built the substantial colonial cottage that stands today.

The Thief, the Farmer and the Surgeon education program offers both primary source investigation and hands-on learning activities.
Through this, students gain insight into different lives in the early colony, the hardships and achievements of James Ruse, a poor farmer, and the comparative power and affluence of John Harris, a military surgeon.

Activities include seed-planting, early water-carrying techniques and costume-dressing.

The house of Surgeon Harris contains original colonial furniture and household objects. A guided tour explores early technologies and
lifestyles revealed through the house’s contents, the roles of domestic staff and the activities of the surgeon.

Students can:

USE primary sources for historical investigation.

REFLECT on early food production and the work of a farmer
through acitivity based learning.

COMPARE the living conditions of an ex-convict with that of a
wealthy military surgeon.

RECOGNISE the effects of change and urbanisation to the environmental landscape.

DEVELOP an understanding and empathy for people of the past.

LEARN about significant people in the development of a wealthy military surgeon.