The Arts House Trust, Pah Homestead

Visited for only the second time today and I think we encountered the same unpleasant staff member that others have experienced. During our first visit last year to see a relative's art exhibit, we were allowed to play the grand piano in the lobby. Based on this experience, I allowed my daughter to try the piano today. She was gently tapping a few keys one by one and genuinely appreciating the sound of the grand, when a female staff member came in to tell her not to play the piano. Now, I'm a big rule follower so if the piano had a sign saying not to play it we would have absolutely observed it. And I'd accept a polite request not to play it even though there is no sign to tell us that and even though we'd been allowed to play it before under similar circumstances. However we instead met someone who doesn't know how to communicate a simple request in a polite and respectful manner. She was instead very patronizing! She bizarrely chose to point out to us that it costs a lot of money to tune the piano. It was clear she felt the need to voice her disapproval, talk down to us and put us in our place. She proceeded to say that once my daughter can play Mozart she can play the piano there. But again it was an unnecessary and condescending comment. And what if I had then sat down and started playing one of Mozart's sonatas? Are there different rules for different people and skill levels? If there are please just tell us. But don't be that ugly person who talks down to a child just because they're a child. I'm not sure if she thought she was being funny with her comments, but she actually came across as a snotty cow. In future, if you don't want anyone to play the piano you should lock it, cover it or use a sign, like you do for the artworks. Don't be inconsistent with your own rules and then talk down to visitors who are respectfully enjoying the piano. We only came today to visit our old local cafe, Hill House. But if I come again, I won't bother looking around the homestead so I don't need to deal with this unpleasant woman again. Or I'll stick to Nathan Homestead where the people are polite and friendly!