The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This tobacco pipe is one of the many objects in the Haeusler Collection that provides insight into life in early to mid-twentieth century Wodonga, and Australia more broadly. Smoking in the first half of the twentieth century was incredibly common in Australia and other western countries. In 1945, more than three out of every four men and one in every four women were regular smokers. While rates of smoking decreased over the next two decades due to observations and research regarding the links between smoking and illness, an increase in tobacco use was documented after the advent of television as people were bombarded with advertisements for cigarettes. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history, and women’s history. A tobacco pipe with brass coloured fitting and black stem.tobacco, smoking, pipe, tobacco pipe, haeusler, haeusler collection, wodonga

Thought to have been embroidered by the grandmother of the donor.Three canvas work samples on different weights of evenweave linen canvas, different patterns sewn onto a cotton fabric backing.canvas work, samplers, mid 19th century, australia

Purchased by Guild 17/7/1960White muslin with white cotton embroidery design of convolvulus. Very decorative edge of buttonhole stitch, satin stitch flower heads, tiny eyelets.embroidery, handkerchief, whitework, mid 19th century

Purchased by Guild 17/7/1960Fine linen with woven border. Embroidered decoration of small rosebuds in satin stitch and tiny satin stitch spots. Fine scalloped edge.Initials H.G.embroidery, handkerchief, whitework, mid 19th century

Made for donor's mother.Half circle white linen with 15cm band on broderie anglais.embroidery, garment, broderie anglais, mid 19th century

Worked upper for slippers in red wool background in half cross on Penelope canvas. Green, yellows and brown leaf pattern and beaded flowers.embroidery, canvas work, beadwork, mid 19th century

Fine white cotton with floral sprays in a border design. Edge finished in buttonhole scallops. Embroidered in white.Emily (inked)embroidery, ayrshire, scotland, mid 19th century

Fine white cotton with sprays of flowers in the corners. Continuous band of open work, and an edge of scalloped buttonhole with satin stitch dots.embroidery, ayrshire, scotland, mid 19th century

Black grosgrain with a border of roses around edge. Thread is twisted silk in shades of red/pinks and yellows.embroidery, aprons, silk embroidery, mid 19th century, england

Made of lawn with a border of flowers in satin stitch and buttonhole stitch. Fine embroidery in classical style.embroidery, handkerchief, mid 19th century, scotland, ayrshire work

Folk embroidery from Saurashtra Provence of Gujarati and said by donor to be over 100 years old. Depicts elephant headed god, Ganesh. Vivid colours of reds, yellow, green and blue with some mirror inserts.embroidery, surface stitchery, shisha work, mid 19th century, india

Traditionally worked using white thread onto a fine white muslin, Ayrshire embroidery is recognisable by stylised floral motifs with areas of filled in cutwork. Developed from Dresden embroidery (a form of pulled work) and tambour embroidery, it uses a range of stitches, including satin stitch, chain stitch, eyelets and buttonhole edging as well as a range of lace filling stitches. The technique became popular in the early nineteenth century, when the previous fashion of elaborate gowns with hooped skirts was replaced by looser, simpler white cotton muslin garments. Although the elegant simplicity was favoured, women also desired some decoration. However, looms of the time could not create complex designs, so women turned to hand stitching.Using cotton muslin woven in Ayrshire, local women and girls would complete the intricate whitework to help supplement their family income. Mainly produced at home, Ayrshire whitework garments would be initially completed by one person. However, as the technique became more popular and the industry developed, to ensure high quality work, a piece would be passed around so that each embroiderer could focus on completing the stitches they specialised in.It is believed that the designs and motifs used in Ayrshire whitework were inspired by lace filling stitches found within an inset in a French Christening robe that was bought to Scotland by Lady Mary Montgomery, who then lent it to Mrs Jamieson of Ayr. She copied the stitches used within the robe and taught them to her outworkers, and she also produced plain muslin that was stamped with a water-soluble blue ink design that made embroidering the designs neater and more efficient. Ayrshire work became popular quite quickly, and it was incorporated into collars, cuffs and caps as well as children’s clothes and bonnets. Pieces were exported across Europe and the British Empire. As the decades progressed, technology advanced, resulting in looms that could incorporate decoration into the weave of the cloth, reducing the need for hand embroidered Ayrshire whitework.A triple frill of Buckingham lace, followed by two bands of fine embroidery - eyelets and satin stitch, and tucking, with small circle at crown.embroidery, whitework, bonnets, mid 19th century, scotland, garments

Classic Ayrshire bonnet which has a lace frill and rosette which were added at a later date when more decorative bonnets were in style.embroidery, ayrshire work, bonnets, mid 19th century, scotland

Possibly brought from Scotland by donor's grandmother Ellen Richardson who had a school at Taradale, Victoria. Later married Ferdinand Rosan and settled at Torrumburry.Decorative edging for a shelf. Blue tent stitch background with design in black, grey, white and silver beads in a floral design.beading, canvas work, furnishings, mid 19th century, scotland

Victorian beadwork on a Berlin work design. A large spray of flowers in black, white, grey, blue and green beads. Background is also beaded in deep rose pink.embroidery, beadwork, panel, mid 19th century, england

White cambric with entire surface in Broderie Anglais. Design of lattice,leaves and flowers in satin stitch. Collar is entirely edged with oval holes.embroidery, collars, broderie anglais, mid 19th century, england

This dress is based on the traditional English smock which uses squares as a basis for the construction.Natural coloured linen with self coloured embroidery, feather, twisted chain, cretan and buttonhole stitches used. Front and back are smocked with decoration on cuffs, collar and sleeves.embroidery, smocking, garments - childrens, mid 19th century, england

Lawn, made in the classical style with a small circle of embroidery on the back of bonnet. The main area has a band with tucks and fine floral embroidery.embroidery, ayrshire work, bonnets, mid 19th century, scotland

White muslin embroidered in whitework. Nine pointed edge with a flower in each point, and a trail of smaller flowers and leaves in satin stitch eyelets and open work.embroidery, collars, whitework, mid 19th century

Sampler belonged to Mrs H. Howen-Allen's grandmother, but not embroidered by her.Traditional style sampler, done by a young child. Coarse linen alphabet, numbersC.B "Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand as the first effort of my infant hand" embroidery, cross stitch, samplers, mid 19th century

Muslin embroidery in white in a small leaf design. Buttonholed edge.embroidery, white work, garments, mid 19th century

Lawn, with a beautiful border of floral embroidery in chain and buttonhole stitches and a great variety of drawn fabric filling stitches, outlined with very fine chain stitch.embroidery, dresden work, white work, holland, mid 19th century

An undersleeve in Ayrshire work. A five pointed frill is drawn into a decorative band which fastens with a button and a loop. Scalloped buttonhole decorates the edges, padded satin stitch is used for the floral decoration on cuff and frill.embroidery, ayrshire work, garments, scotland, mid 19th century

Sleeve of spotted muslin, with a deep (190 mms) cuff embroidered in floral design in satin and buttonhole stitches, and finishing in a widely scalloped buttonholed edge.embroidery, whitework, garments, mid 19th century

Chinese sleeve embroidery bands, or wanxiu became popular in the late 19th century during the Qing Dynasty, evolving from the traditional Han cuff embroidery and Manchu styles. These detachable, decorated bands were added to women's informal jackets and robes, often featuring symbolic motifs like landscapes, flowers, and auspicious symbols. They served both a decorative function, displaying artistic skill and personal wishes, and a practical one by covering the sleeves when hands were folded at the waist. History and evolution: Origins: The practice of embroidering cuffs on robes existed during the previous Ming Dynasty for Han women, and this was adopted by the Manchu rulers who founded the Qing Dynasty. Qing Dynasty (1644-1911): The practice was popularized and elaborated upon during this era, with detachable bands becoming a fashionable element for informal wear. Symbolism: The embroidery included a complex visual vocabulary of wishes for a long life, many offspring, and a happy marriage, derived from nature, mythology, and classical literature. Functionality: Women would fold their arms, often with their hands inside the sleeves, so the embroidered bands, which were sewn to hang down the back of the jacket, would be displayed prominently down the front. 19th century peak: The late 19th century was the peak of their popularity, with intricate designs becoming fashionable and even influenced by court tastes, such as those favoured by the Empress Dowager Cixi. Later developments: The late 19th century saw the introduction of chemical 'aniline' dyes from Europe, leading to brighter, bolder colours in embroidery. Motifs and their Meanings: Auspicious symbols: Designs often included symbols for good fortune, wealth, and longevity. Natural imagery: Birds, flowers, and landscapes were common motifs that could represent natural beauty or convey specific symbolic meanings. Figurative scenes: Bands could also feature narrative scenes from classical stories or legends. The choice of motifs allowed women to express personal desires, cultural values, and aesthetic preferences, reflecting a more personal and informal style than official court attire.Pale gold satin. Design of peonies embroidered in shades of blue satin stitch with coloured butterflies..embroidery, garments, silk embroidery, mid 19th century, china, oriental

Chinese sleeve embroidery bands, or wanxiu became popular in the late 19th century during the Qing Dynasty, evolving from the traditional Han cuff embroidery and Manchu styles. These detachable, decorated bands were added to women's informal jackets and robes, often featuring symbolic motifs like landscapes, flowers, and auspicious symbols. They served both a decorative function, displaying artistic skill and personal wishes, and a practical one by covering the sleeves when hands were folded at the waist. History and evolution: Origins: The practice of embroidering cuffs on robes existed during the previous Ming Dynasty for Han women, and this was adopted by the Manchu rulers who founded the Qing Dynasty. Qing Dynasty (1644-1911): The practice was popularized and elaborated upon during this era, with detachable bands becoming a fashionable element for informal wear. Symbolism: The embroidery included a complex visual vocabulary of wishes for a long life, many offspring, and a happy marriage, derived from nature, mythology, and classical literature. Functionality: Women would fold their arms, often with their hands inside the sleeves, so the embroidered bands, which were sewn to hang down the back of the jacket, would be displayed prominently down the front. 19th century peak: The late 19th century was the peak of their popularity, with intricate designs becoming fashionable and even influenced by court tastes, such as those favoured by the Empress Dowager Cixi. Later developments: The late 19th century saw the introduction of chemical 'aniline' dyes from Europe, leading to brighter, bolder colours in embroidery. Motifs and their Meanings: Auspicious symbols: Designs often included symbols for good fortune, wealth, and longevity. Natural imagery: Birds, flowers, and landscapes were common motifs that could represent natural beauty or convey specific symbolic meanings. Figurative scenes: Bands could also feature narrative scenes from classical stories or legends. The choice of motifs allowed women to express personal desires, cultural values, and aesthetic preferences, reflecting a more personal and informal style than official court attire.Mid green silk embroidered with a variety of coloured silk threads and some metal thread.embroidery, garments, china, mid 19th century, figures, fish, turtle, sea

Purchased by donor for 2/- at a jumble sale. (2 shillings in 1960 or about 20c in decimal currency, in 2026 about $3.70).Fine Ayrshire Embroidery. Robe is typical Ayrshire with triangular bodice and "wings" on skirt.embroidery, embroidery- garments, embroidery- mid 19th century, embroidery - ayrshire, embroidery - whitework

Mountmellick embroidery is a traditional, heavy white-on-white (whitework) hand embroidery style that originated around 1825 in the town of Mountmellick in County Laois, Ireland. Developed by Johanna Carter, the craft is celebrated for its deeply textured, sculptural appearance and all-Irish origins. Strictly monochrome white-on-white (white thread on white fabric). Traditionally worked on heavy, firm cotton satin jean, providing a sturdy, durable base for household items like bedspreads, tablecloths, and doilies. Uses thick, matte, twistless or heavy cotton threads that do not divide, contrasting with the sheen of the cotton jean fabric. Inspired by the local Irish flora, including blackberries, brambles, oak leaves, dog roses, ivy, ferns, and shamrocks, as well as later cultivated garden plants. Features heavily padded and knotted stitches, such as satin stitch, French knots, stem stitch, buttonhole stitch, and the signature Mountmellick stitch (which creates a triangle-like, spiked outline effect).Satin jean, diagonal spray of flowers and leaves in the classical mountmellick style. Traditional heavy fringed edge.C.W.embroidery, mountmellick, ireland, mid 19th century

Fine cream cotton with a decorative panel of half cross and cross stitches in red, blue, black and green. Front of the cap is finished with a simple Armenian edge. Back has a draw string threaded through a row of buttonhole loops.embroidery, caps, cross stitch, mid 19th century, south europe

vi. Mid 19th century.