Shop - Parramatta Female Factory Friends

Welcome to Sarah & Norah’s Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe

We have Books, Heritage Gifts & Memorabilia

Take a little history home with you.

Discover a delightful collection of Australian history books, heritage gifts, handmade crafts, souvenirs and keepsakes at the Parramatta Female Factory Friends Shop.

Whether you’re researching a convict ancestor, searching for a thoughtful gift or looking for something special to remember your visit, our Shoppe offers something for history lovers of all ages.

From fascinating books about convict women to handmade bonnets, sewing kits and forget-me-not badges, our collection celebrates the women and children whose stories are an important part of Australia’s history.

Every purchase supports Parramatta Female Factory Friends, helping us preserve, research and share the stories of this nationally significant heritage site.

Shop in person or order by email — we can arrange postage throughout Australia and discuss international delivery.

How to Purchase

Buying from our Shoppe is easy!

1. Browse our collection

Explore the books, publications, handmade crafts and memorabilia displayed below.

2. Email us your order

Send an email to contact@parramattafemalefactoryfriends.com.au with the items you would like to purchase, the quantities and your delivery postcode or country.

3. We confirm your order

Our volunteers will check availability and advise the total cost, including any postage and packaging.

4. Make your payment

Once the total has been confirmed, we can arrange secure card payment through Square or payment by EFT.

Alternatively, arrange to collect your purchases at the Female Factory and pay by cash or card.

Postage is calculated according to the size, weight and destination of your order. You will know the full cost before making payment.

Email Us to Order

Books & Publications — Discover Their Stories

The HerStory Collection — $20 per volume

Explore the extraordinary lives of Australia’s female convicts through our popular HerStory series.

These beautifully researched publications bring together historical accounts, photographs, archival discoveries and family histories that illuminate the experiences of women connected with the Parramatta Female Factory.

Available titles include:

HerStory — Volume 1
HerStory — Volume 2: Another Chapter Unfolds
HerStory — Volume 3: Parramatta & Beyond

Perfect for family historians, students, researchers and anyone interested in Australian women’s history.

History. HerStory. OurStory — Bicentenary Book — $30

Discover two centuries of the Parramatta Female Factory through this commemorative publication celebrating the site’s remarkable history and heritage significance.

An ideal keepsake for visitors and a thoughtful gift for anyone interested in Australia’s colonial past.

Conviction — Gay Hendriksen — $15

Explore the compelling history of convict women, punishment and resistance through the research of historian Gay Hendriksen.

A particularly valuable publication for readers interested in the Female Factory riots and the determination of women who challenged colonial authority.

Unravelled — The Life of Elizabeth Fulloon — $44

Written by Heather E. Garnsey, this carefully researched biography examines the life of Elizabeth Fulloon, Superintendent of the Parramatta Female Factory from 1824 to 1827.

Discover the woman responsible for managing one of the colony’s most controversial institutions during a period of significant change.

More Australian History Books

Our Shoppe also offers a selection of local and colonial history publications, including:

About That Shout — Gary Carter — $40
The Colonial Nation’s First Big Steps — Gary John Carter — $40
Academy for Young Ladies — Sue Bell — $25
Cockatoo Island — Sue Castrique — $35
The Parramatta Cemeteries: St John’s — Judith Dunn OAM — $25
Then & There Lying Dead — Judith Dunn OAM — $20

Ask us about current availability or recommendations for your particular historical interests.

Handmade Heritage Gifts

Female Convict Bonnets & Caps — $10–$15

Step back into the nineteenth century with our traditional-style female convict bonnets and caps.

These heritage-inspired pieces make charming gifts, educational demonstration items and keepsakes for visitors interested in convict clothing and everyday life.

Convict Women’s Pockets — $15

Before modern handbags, women often wore separate fabric pockets tied beneath their skirts to carry personal possessions.

Our reproduction pockets celebrate an ingenious aspect of women’s clothing and make an unusual and practical heritage gift.

Hussif Sewing Kits — $15

The hussif was a compact sewing companion used for storing needles, thread and other essentials.

Our handmade sewing kits recall the textile skills and needlework associated with women at the Female Factory.

Perfect for sewing enthusiasts, collectors and anyone interested in women’s working history.

Forget-Me-Not Gifts & Memorabilia

HerStory and Bicentenary Badges — $2.50

Show your support for the Parramatta Female Factory with our commemorative badges.

Choose from the HerStory Matters and 200 Years designs.

Forget-Me-Not Crafts — $5–$10

Discover handmade forget-me-not gifts, including crocheted flower brooches, badges and decorated garden stones.

The forget-me-not is a meaningful symbol of remembrance, honouring the women and children whose experiences might otherwise have been forgotten.

Heritage Bookmarks — $2

Choose from a range of illustrated bookmarks featuring historic buildings, convict women and significant places within the Parramatta Female Factory precinct.

An affordable keepsake for visitors, history enthusiasts and readers.

Heritage Envelopes — $2

Our specially designed envelopes feature Parramatta Female Factory imagery and are ideal for correspondence, collecting and gifts.

Digital History & Music

We also offer selected digital and musical publications celebrating the history of the Female Factory.

These include:

Bicentenary USB Wafer — $25, containing digital publications and multimedia.
Mothers of the Nation — EP CD — $15, featuring music inspired by the experiences, resistance and resilience of convict women.
Women Transported — Digital Edition, subject to availability.

Please enquire about the available formats and contents before ordering.

A Special Gift for Someone Who Loves History

Looking for an unusual gift?

Consider combining one of our Australian history publications with a handmade bookmark, heritage badge or convict-era sewing kit.

Our volunteers can help you select items suitable for family historians, teachers, students, descendants or someone who simply enjoys discovering Australia’s past.

For an especially memorable experience, consider purchasing a book or souvenir to accompany a guided walking tour of the Parramatta Female Factory.

Explore Our Guided Walking Tours

Visiting the Shoppe

You can visit Sarah & Norah’s Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe in the Parramatta Female Factory Friends rooms at:

5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta NSW 2151

The Shoppe is part of our visitor and Research Centre facilities, alongside the Babette Smith Collection, heritage displays and the Ann Gordon Tea Room.

Our Shoppe is staffed by volunteers and is not open regular retail hours.

Please contact us before making a special visit to confirm when purchases or collections can be arranged.

Postage, Collection & Payment

Postage Within Australia

We can arrange postage for most books, publications and merchandise throughout Australia.

Postage and packaging are calculated according to your order’s size, weight and destination.

Then we will confirm the full cost with you before requesting payment.

International Orders

We welcome enquiries from overseas descendants, researchers and history enthusiasts.

International postage is quoted individually and will depend on the destination and contents of your order.

Collection

Collection from 5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta, may be arranged with our volunteers.

Payment Methods

We accept:

Cash for purchases made in person.
Card through our Square payment facilities.
EFT using payment details supplied after your order is confirmed.

Secure Square online payment links may be provided for postal orders.

Every Purchase Makes a Difference

Parramatta Female Factory Friends is a registered charity supported by dedicated volunteers.

Your purchases help support our historical research, educational activities, visitor programs, collections and advocacy for the protection of the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct.

When you purchase from our Shoppe, you’re helping to preserve Australia’s history and ensure that the stories of the women and children of the Female Factory continue to be told.