New exhibition details stories of child convicts

A new exhibition detailing the stories of boys who were housed at the Point Puer prison at Port Arthur between 1834 and 1849 has opened as the historic site secures $8.95 million to restore its 183-year-old penitentiary.

The Port Arthur Penitentiary Conservation Project will see the aging structure repaired, strengthened and maintained using federal funds.

Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority CEO Will Flamsteed said the Penitentiary was an invaluable piece of Tasmanian, Australian and international history. 

“The Penitentiary is the most photographed building at the site,” Mr Flamsteed said.

“It tells an incredible story of resilience in the face of adversity, much like the convicts it imprisoned.

“It was built in 1842 as a flour mill before it was converted to a prison in 1857 and nearly destroyed by bushfires in 1897. 

“More recently, the wind, rain, salt and storm surges have caused significant damage, including erosion of bricks and sandstone, decaying timber, and steel corrosion.”

Mr Flamsteed said that while regular maintenance and repairs had been carried out at the Penitentiary, an expert survey identified the need for urgent and significant conservation work.

“We thank the Federal Government for delivering on its election commitment to invest in this critical work to secure the future of the iconic Penitentiary.

“The conservation work will start immediately, with the project to be staged across five years to ensure visitors can continue to access the Penitentiary.

“Staging means we can also incorporate lessons learnt from each stage into the next, to maximise training opportunities in specialist heritage trade skills.

“The Penitentiary Conservation Project will cement Australia’s position as a global leader in conservation, secure a historic Tasmanian tourism icon and create jobs.”

Meanwhile, the Point Puer Exhibition has opened, detailing the youth prison that housed around 2000 boys aged nine to 21 during the convict era.

 “Port Arthur is a place of deep historical significance, and the stories of the Point Puer boys are a vital part of that legacy,” Mr Flamsteed said.

“This exhibition is made for kids and grown-ups too.

“It’s a fun, hands-on way to uncover the lives of the Point Puer boys.”

Exhibition Curator Nicky Corbett said the Point Puer settlement was created with good intentions.

“But in reality, life there could be harsh and confronting,” Ms Corbett said.

“This exhibition invites us to reflect on their experiences and the broader legacy of juvenile incarceration.”