Ross Female Factory Ross, Tasmania, Australia
By EeePees on 14-Aug-22. Waypoint GA26942

Fascinating, but solemn, female convict history often missed while visiting Ross, but well worth a visit.

The Ross Female Factory, erected in 1833, is located in the town of Ross, Tasmania.

It was initially built to house the convict chain gains employed on the Ross Bridge.

The Ross Female Factory is one of four female factories built in Tasmania.

Between 1847 and 1854 it operated as a probation station for female convicts and their babies.

The buildingswere converted from a chain gang station and extended to include a chapel, dining rooms, hospital, nursery, solitary cells, dormitories and an outer courtyard.

The women were taught how to sew, clean, cook, launder and care for their children. The Ross Female Factory is a protected historic site today, managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service and the Tasmanian Wool Centre of Ross.

Visit the Overseer's Cottage and look at the display including a model of the Female Factory in 1851. You will notice that there are few remains above ground, however, the Ross Female Factory is the most archaeologically intact female convict site in Australia.

The grounds are open 24/7, but the cottage museum hours are 10am to 3pm, so best to time your visit to suit.

You'll need to wander around the grounds to gather the required information off the information boards to enable you to answer the questions to claim a find.

Please use the gate near the cottage.

EeePees does have 1st Fleet convict heritage, as well as ancestral connections to the Ross Female Factory, and the Port Arthur Penal Settlement, please include comments in your log if you also share such family history.

Enjoy your visit.

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