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The History of Partridge House

Discover the history behind the iconic house
Last Thursday evening we went to look over at a house – such a house, a perfect house. I never saw a house I would love so to live in.
Maisie Thomas, Tuesday 28 January 1902. As seen through the eyes of Maisie Thomas, former occupier of Partridge house or, as she knew it, ‘Branksome’ from 1902 to 1912
PH GL 0313 Partridge House Partridge St c1971 C0426335045
PH GL 0309 Partridge House Partridge St c1980 C0426335087
PH GL 1158 Partridge St 1952 C0426364337
PH GL 0401 Millers Corner Partridge St C0426339900
PH GL 0314 Windmill Partridge House C0426335037

Mrs. Elinor Varley purchased the land at 38 Partridge Street in 1839. In 1899, Mr. Jackson, an architect of Soward & Jackson, Adelaide, built a house of 18 rooms and outhouses, which today, with some alterations, is Partridge House. Mr. Charles Grant Varley, a relative of Mrs. Elinor Varley and a lawyer of Eagle Chambers, Adelaide, occupied the house until January 1902, when Elinor died. The Thomas family moved in soon after.

Over the years, Partridge House has seen many internal changes to its layout, décor, and external changes, especially to the gardens. When Maisie Thomas lived here, she described the home as having ‘beautiful fireplaces, all tiled and wooden built-up mantels, and gas all over the house and fly blinds... the woodwork throughout the house is simply lovely!’

Mary (Maisie) Harriet Archer Thomas (nee Smith) was born in Auburn in the state's mid-north on 8 October 1878. She married Evan Kyffin Thomas in 1901. Maisie was known as a ‘strikingly beautiful’ and elegant woman with a quick wit and a wicked sense of humour.