Step back in time with a visit to historic farmhouse
Published on 17 July 2025
Visit one of Melbourne’s oldest bluestone homes, with Ziebell’s Farmhouse opening its doors, cottage garden and historic attic space for people to view.
Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden is excited to share its special program, Stories from the Attic: An Exploration of Life in Melbourne’s Germantown, as part of this year’s Open House Melbourne event in July.
The Open House Melbourne Weekend celebrates good design by opening up a diverse range of buildings, places and spaces, inspiring public engagement in conversations about Melbourne’s architecture, unique buildings and their human stories.
Melbourne has changed over time, shaped by the many different people who lived here. It’s more than just buildings; it’s about people and their lives. Stories from the Attic will expose the memories of community descended from German and Wendish immigrants to northern Melbourne.
Open Saturday 26 July and Sunday 27 July from 11am to 5pm, visit the rarely opened farmhouse attic, along with an old German smokehouse and classic cottage garden.
Children can enjoy fun activities like making farm animal finger puppets and drawing their own bluestone houses. On Sunday morning, a German story time will entertain young children.
Join us for a weekend of stories, tours and family-friendly activities as we explore the history of Germantown/Westgarthtown, part of today’s Thomastown.
Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor, Councillor Martin Taylor:
“Stories from the Attic helps bring the past to life by sharing real stories from families who lived here long ago.
“Ziebell’s Farmhouse is not just a building - it’s a living storybook of our city’s early days. Through Open House Melbourne, Stories from the Attic honours the voices of those who helped shape Thomastown into what it is today.
“This special recognition is very important for the Thomastown community and the families of early German and Wendish settlers who helped build this area.”