Story: Childhood

Girl doing the dishes, around 1911 (2nd of 3)

Girl doing the dishes, around 1911

Doing the dishes is a common household chore for New Zealand children  emptying and stacking the dishwasher is the 2000s equivalent to the scene shown here. Young Phyllis Godber is washing the dishes in a large metal bowl on the kitchen table around 1911. Her clothes are protected by a big bib apron.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Albert Percy Godber Collection (PA-Group-00048)
Reference: APG-1393-1/2; G
Photograph by Albert Percy Godber

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Childhood - Family, school and work responsibilities', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/26279/girl-doing-the-dishes-around-1911 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 12 Dec 2018