Offsite event: Ross Female Factory Archaeology

Next date: Saturday, 07 March 2026 | 01:30 PM to Saturday, 07 March 2026 | 02:30 PM

How did Convict Mothers sustain their children inside the Female Factories?

This lecture presents archaeological results from the Ross Factory Nursery Ward to consider evidence of motherhood within the prison.

Drawing from excavated walls and underfloor artefacts, this lecture presented by Dr. Eleanor Casella will explore how surveillance, separation, and survival can be seen in the Archaeology of the Ross Female Factory.

The Ross Female Factory site is part of Tasmania's internationally important convict heritage. The excavations of the site uncovered fascinating and tragic stories of the incarceration of women and children, and the excavated material now forms part of the QVMAG collection.

Dr. Eleanor Casella is an internationally recognised archaeologist who led the digs on the site from 1995, and has unique insight into the lives of convict women and their children.

This is a FREE event being held in the Tasmanian Wool Centre Museum, graciously sponsored by the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology. After the lecture concludes at 2.30pm, stay for complimentary light refreshments, followed by a fascinating tour of the Ross Female Factory site, with Dr. Casella as your guide.

Please note: This event is being held offsite from QVMAG at the Tasmanian Wool Centre Museum, 48 Church Street, Ross, Tasmania.