Cleanliness is Next to Godliness
An archaeological perspective on the influences of Victorian values and city-wide health in Parramatta
For more than 30 years, archaeologists have recorded and studied the colonial past of Parramatta, the second-oldest European settlement in NSW. Archaeological investigations provide a wealth of information that contributes to the interpretation of the landscape, the history of the town’s development and our understanding of the people who lived there. Dr E. Jeanne Harris’ new book, Cleanliness is Next to Godliness, uses archaeological assemblages generated by these investigations as the basis for exploring what these mainly British settlers and their descendants held as societal beliefs, principles and norms (termed ‘Victorian values’), which emerged concerning cleanliness and health-related issues.
Synthesising the findings from eight residential archaeological sites, Dr E. Jeanne Harris will discuss the social reforms that promoted both public health initiatives and personal health practices, providing insight into the everyday lives of those who lived in Parramatta in the 19th century.
About the speaker
Dr E. Jeanne Harris has over 35 years’ experience in cultural heritage and resource management in the USA and Australia. She is the owner of UrbanAnalysts, a consultancy specialising in the analysis of historical artefacts.
Presentation Details
When: Monday, 20 October 2025 at 7.30 pm.
Where: Burnside Gardens Community Centre, 3 Blackwood Place, Oatlands NSW.
Admission: The lecture is free and is followed by Supper. Visitors are welcome.
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