East end of State Heritage listed Ayers House, North Terrace, Adelaide South Australia
The National Trust has been the caretaker of Ayers House since 1973, after the building was transformed from nurses’ quarters into a public museum, restaurant and function centre.
Ayers House Museum is one of the finest nineteenth century house museums in Australia.
Listed State Heritage Register on July 1980.
Transcription of plaque on front of Ayers House:-
“Ayers House
The Honourable Sir Henry Ayers KCMG, MR, who was Premier of the colony of South Australia on five occasions between 15th July 1863, and 22nd July 1873, built this residence between 1853 and 1873. Paxton’s cottage, which was originally built on this site is included in the structure.
The property was acquired by the South Australian Government in 1926 and used as nurses’ quarters under the name of Austral House until 1970.
This restored building, with restaurants incorporated, was opened by the Honourable Don Dunstan, Premier of South Australia on the 30th June 1973.”
The oldest part of Ayers House was built by Robert Thornber in 1846. It was bought by William Paxton, a director of the South Australian Mining Association and was extended by the addition of brick side wings by 1852. Henry Ayers, secretary of the association, first leased the house from Paxton and then purchased it in 1871.
During his residence the house was progressively extended from a modest nine-roomed brick dwelling to its present grand form designed by architect George Strickland Kingston, with the addition of an upper storey, coach house and further side wings housing formal entertaining rooms.
Predominantly in bluestone, the house has Kingston’s characteristic arched porches and semi-circular fronts: its western dining room is one of South Australia’s notable interiors.
A small suite of rooms was built below ground to provide a cool retreat during Adelaide’s intense summers.
After Ayers’ death in 1897, the house was only occasionally used by his heirs. In 1972 it became the National Trust of South Australia headquarters for some years with its formal rooms accessible as a museum.
Sir Henry Ayers was Premier, and Cabinet Minister. He was secretary of the Burra Copper Mines, founder of the Bank of Adelaide, trustee of the Savings Bank of South Australia, chairman of South Australian Gas Co, governor of the Botanic Gardens Board and treasurer of the University of Adelaide.
He was knighted in 1872 for his government’s role in bringing the overland telegraph service from Darwin to Adelaide, opening communication with England, a vital link for the fledgling colony.
The house was the centre of Adelaide society for thirty years. Henry famously gave twice yearly parties in September and October with dancing in his ballroom, coloured lighting festooning the trees and wine carefully selected from his cellar.
As President of the Legislative Council, Ayers gave his parliamentary dinners at home, his guests seated around a long cedar table and the Ayers family crest of three doves and an olive branch looking down from the ceiling – it had taken a painter named Williams, flat on his back on a mattress supported by ladders, three days to do.
With the home went City Acres 29 and 30 reaching from Tavistock (now Frome) Street to the boundary of the present East End Market and from North Terrace to Rundle Street.
After Sir Henry’s death the house stood vacant for some years, before it was bought by Austral Gardens Ltd in 1914 turning the grounds into an open-air theatre and for some time was occupied by the Returned Soldiers League. From 1929 it was a nurses’ home and training centre for the Royal Adelaide Hospital until 1969.
On 30 June 1973 Ayers House opened with a fine dining restaurant and bistro. Visited by Princess Ann and serving Queen Elizabeth II it quickly became the place to be seen. The full silver service restaurant was regularly visited by Adelaide society until the mid 90s. A magnificent Victorian styled glass conservatory extension, added in the 80s, extended the bistro from the Coach House and Stables into the gardens.
Sir Henry Ayers also owned a grand home on the Esplanade at Glenelg. It was one of two self contained joined residences, each of 15 rooms, known as Seafield Tower. Designed by architect Thomas English, they were built in 1876 as seaside retreats – one for Sir Henry and the other for Sir Thomas Elder. Each residence had a separate entrance.
Of Italianate Style, a common façade has since been added. Built of random coarse bluestone with smoother rendered quoins. Opening are Roman arched with Romanesque pilasters and keystones.
The late Sir Henry Ayers
The Funeral – A great Concourse
The remains of the late Sir Henry Ayers GCMG, were interred in the West Terrace Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, and were followed to the grave by a very large number of people, including members of both Houses of the Legislature, heads of Government departments, members of boards and directorates with which the deceased gentleman had been connected, and a number of leading business men. The general public testified their respect to the memory of Sir Henry Ayers by assembling in numbers near his residence on North Terrace, and thence to the corner of Pulteney Street the road was lined with spectators.
The cortege was of great length, over 100 vehicles taking part in the procession. His Excellency the Governor sent his carriage, as did also Lady Milne, while the Right Hon the Chief Justice was represented by Major H B Taylor (associate), who was in his Honour's carriage. Leaving the house shortly after 8 o'clock the route lay along North Terrace, King William Street, and Grote Street to the cemetery.
The flags were half-masted and many places of business were closed during the funeral. At the Adelaide Oval flags were half-masted as Sir Henry was a vice president and trustee of the Cricketing Association.
References:
National Trust of South Australia
SA History Hub, article Peter Bell
Ayers House website
Adelaide City Explorer
Chronicle (Adelaide) 19-6-1897
East end of State Heritage listed Ayers House, North Terrace, Adelaide South Australia
The National Trust has been the caretaker of Ayers House since 1973, after the building was transformed from nurses’ quarters into a public museum, restaurant and function centre.
Ayers House Museum is one of the finest nineteenth century house museums in Australia.
Listed State Heritage Register on July 1980.
Transcription of plaque on front of Ayers House:-
“Ayers House
The Honourable Sir Henry Ayers KCMG, MR, who was Premier of the colony of South Australia on five occasions between 15th July 1863, and 22nd July 1873, built this residence between 1853 and 1873. Paxton’s cottage, which was originally built on this site is included in the structure.
The property was acquired by the South Australian Government in 1926 and used as nurses’ quarters under the name of Austral House until 1970.
This restored building, with restaurants incorporated, was opened by the Honourable Don Dunstan, Premier of South Australia on the 30th June 1973.”
The oldest part of Ayers House was built by Robert Thornber in 1846. It was bought by William Paxton, a director of the South Australian Mining Association and was extended by the addition of brick side wings by 1852. Henry Ayers, secretary of the association, first leased the house from Paxton and then purchased it in 1871.
During his residence the house was progressively extended from a modest nine-roomed brick dwelling to its present grand form designed by architect George Strickland Kingston, with the addition of an upper storey, coach house and further side wings housing formal entertaining rooms.
Predominantly in bluestone, the house has Kingston’s characteristic arched porches and semi-circular fronts: its western dining room is one of South Australia’s notable interiors.
A small suite of rooms was built below ground to provide a cool retreat during Adelaide’s intense summers.
After Ayers’ death in 1897, the house was only occasionally used by his heirs. In 1972 it became the National Trust of South Australia headquarters for some years with its formal rooms accessible as a museum.
Sir Henry Ayers was Premier, and Cabinet Minister. He was secretary of the Burra Copper Mines, founder of the Bank of Adelaide, trustee of the Savings Bank of South Australia, chairman of South Australian Gas Co, governor of the Botanic Gardens Board and treasurer of the University of Adelaide.
He was knighted in 1872 for his government’s role in bringing the overland telegraph service from Darwin to Adelaide, opening communication with England, a vital link for the fledgling colony.
The house was the centre of Adelaide society for thirty years. Henry famously gave twice yearly parties in September and October with dancing in his ballroom, coloured lighting festooning the trees and wine carefully selected from his cellar.
As President of the Legislative Council, Ayers gave his parliamentary dinners at home, his guests seated around a long cedar table and the Ayers family crest of three doves and an olive branch looking down from the ceiling – it had taken a painter named Williams, flat on his back on a mattress supported by ladders, three days to do.
With the home went City Acres 29 and 30 reaching from Tavistock (now Frome) Street to the boundary of the present East End Market and from North Terrace to Rundle Street.
After Sir Henry’s death the house stood vacant for some years, before it was bought by Austral Gardens Ltd in 1914 turning the grounds into an open-air theatre and for some time was occupied by the Returned Soldiers League. From 1929 it was a nurses’ home and training centre for the Royal Adelaide Hospital until 1969.
On 30 June 1973 Ayers House opened with a fine dining restaurant and bistro. Visited by Princess Ann and serving Queen Elizabeth II it quickly became the place to be seen. The full silver service restaurant was regularly visited by Adelaide society until the mid 90s. A magnificent Victorian styled glass conservatory extension, added in the 80s, extended the bistro from the Coach House and Stables into the gardens.
Sir Henry Ayers also owned a grand home on the Esplanade at Glenelg. It was one of two self contained joined residences, each of 15 rooms, known as Seafield Tower. Designed by architect Thomas English, they were built in 1876 as seaside retreats – one for Sir Henry and the other for Sir Thomas Elder. Each residence had a separate entrance.
Of Italianate Style, a common façade has since been added. Built of random coarse bluestone with smoother rendered quoins. Opening are Roman arched with Romanesque pilasters and keystones.
The late Sir Henry Ayers
The Funeral – A great Concourse
The remains of the late Sir Henry Ayers GCMG, were interred in the West Terrace Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, and were followed to the grave by a very large number of people, including members of both Houses of the Legislature, heads of Government departments, members of boards and directorates with which the deceased gentleman had been connected, and a number of leading business men. The general public testified their respect to the memory of Sir Henry Ayers by assembling in numbers near his residence on North Terrace, and thence to the corner of Pulteney Street the road was lined with spectators.
The cortege was of great length, over 100 vehicles taking part in the procession. His Excellency the Governor sent his carriage, as did also Lady Milne, while the Right Hon the Chief Justice was represented by Major H B Taylor (associate), who was in his Honour's carriage. Leaving the house shortly after 8 o'clock the route lay along North Terrace, King William Street, and Grote Street to the cemetery.
The flags were half-masted and many places of business were closed during the funeral. At the Adelaide Oval flags were half-masted as Sir Henry was a vice president and trustee of the Cricketing Association.
References:
National Trust of South Australia
SA History Hub, article Peter Bell
Ayers House website
Adelaide City Explorer
Chronicle (Adelaide) 19-6-1897