love letters from the forest
Posted on October 23, 2019 by Out of her Treehouse
Earlier this year my family and I visited the delightful Sampson House in Fremantle. It was one of those days where everything seemed misty and sparkly and maybe, just maybe fairies were rustling amongst the garden beds. Magic was totally in the air.
And for a history nerd writing about Victorian era Fremantle – THIS was a DREAM! I did not want it to end. I could have easily spent another five people-free hours meandering along the corridors taking it all in.
I’ve already written a couple of reviews on this gem, so I thought I’d share a little poem instead. An ode to this exquisite time capsule. As with most historical things I write I’ve tried to look for the female element, unfortunately because my memory is like a chocolate pudding – I can’t remember any stories from the day. I’m sure there were plenty of fascinating tales about the women of Sampson House. There’s not a whole lot online (or what I know to search for), so I guess there’s nothing for it but to return and do another tour and sink my history teeth in a bit further.
If only I could take up residence for a couple of days. How rich and delicious that would be for my novel! Heavenly pipe dreams.
Scullery maids
High society dining
Spiral staircase
Artful refinery
Boom years
Brief opulence
Lace and steeple envy
New dawn – rifles and dictators
Roses for corn
the conquering warring century
Bobby socks and poodle frills
Restoration
Fremantle thrills
Cherry cola dates
Old tram chairs
A movie theatre makes
Dark musty halls
Tired and bolstered
Not yet dilapidated
Glorious snapshot
Era preserved
Tourists and artists
Captivated
Category: The Warder's Cottage, Writer JourneyTags: Author Journey, Fremantle, Historical Fiction, History, Research, Sampson House, Writer