John Curtin, wartime Prime Minister of Australia, and his wife Elsie built this house in 1923. Four generations of the Curtins’ extended family lived in the house for the following seventy-five years.
The house underwent major conservation and interpretation works in 2010 including restoration of the garden. Interpretation of the place included the production of series of internal panels, a self-guided audio tour, a booklet website and the dramatic performance season.
This National Trust project provided an exciting opportunity to focus on what is an often neglected part of John Curtin – the importance of his home life. The unassuming nature of the Jarrad Street House reflects the nature of the man and his family and helps explain his political convictions and directions for the nation during WWII.
The property has been in the care of the National Trust since 2002 and is one of only three former prime ministers’ homes that are in public ownership. The National Trust plans to use the house for residential accommodation while continuing an interpretation program during which guest curators will interpret aspects of the Curtin family story annually.