Visit to Miegunyah House, Brisbane

Ipswich Hospital Museum volunteers and partners spent an interesting afternoon at Miegunyah Historic House Museum in July 2023.

Miegunyah (My House) is the home of the Queensland Women’s Historical Association. Built in 1886 it has a long and varied history.

Included in the exhibits are a wine chest and sideboard in the dining room, owned by Colonel Charles George Grey, Police Magistrate in Ipswich, Parliamentary Librarian and first Usher of the Black Rod in Queensland’s Parliament. The wine chest went with him to the Battle of Waterloo. Colonel Gray convened a public meeting in 1856 to discuss the building of a hospital in Ipswich. He became the first President of the hospital’s acting committee from 1956 until 1867 and then again from January 1870 until his death aged 87 in 1873.

The IHM group was guided through the house by Dr Michael Marendy, Conservation, Curatorial and Training Consultant and AICCM (Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials) Conservator of the Year. Michael is a volunteer at Miegunyah and last year conducted a Preservation Needs Assessment for the Ipswich Hospital Museum. Michael is a textiles specialist and is ‘hands-on’ involved in the restoration and preservation of a 218 year old quilt.

The visit included afternoon tea – with delicious homemade scones, jam and cream – on the side verandah.