Torrens Park House: In the Adelaide City region of South Australia

Torrens Park House is now an integral part of Scotch College but is has been home to some of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Adelaide. For decades it was often the epicentre of the South Australia social scene. Especially the ornately decorated Barr Smith Theatre.

Step back to 1885 and you'd be in the thick of colonial Adelaide's social elite at of one Robert and Johanna Barr Smith's legendary soirees.

“The theatre was for the Barr Smith's two daughters, Mabel and Joanna who had a passion for performing on stage. The theatres in the city were considered too far away so they decided to build their own.

“For many years this was the hive of social events in Adelaide and not only were there charades and tableaux, with magnificent costumes and scenery, they did all the backdrops and things for them as well. They also had grand balls here.

“I think it probably is unique in Australia. I think there was only one private theatre that we could find and that was in Sydney and is was nothing like this one”.

It's a classic Victorian era theatre, which served the needs of all the Barr Smiths, old and young.

“On opening night, Mabel and Joanna performed the balcony scene from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet from their own little balcony in the theatre.”

In its heyday the Barr Smiths, who made their money through pastoralism, decorated the theatre and the rest of Torrens Park House in the world famous Morris and Co wallpaper and furnishings. Hundreds of chairs were shipped out from London. Today each would be worth a small fortune. Sadly, the first students at what became Scotch College didn't share the same admiration for all things Morris and Co.

“They got broken and we understand they were good for feeding all the fireplaces in the house. Torrens Park House was also used during the First World War. Just before Robert Barr Smith died he made this marvelous gesture and told the Government that they could have the run of the house and grounds for the duration of the war. This happened when the first soldiers were coming back from Gallipoli.”

The entrance to Torrens Park House gives some hint of what it must have been like as a private residence. But a clear picture was formed thanks to some wallpaper found one of the mirrors and various photos taken of Joanna Barr Smith in the Large Drawing Room. It was a Morris and Co design:

“Its was called Saint James and was designed by Morris for St James Palace in London. Within about two years the Barr Smiths had it here and decorated this room.”

The house was built by Robert Richard Torrens one hundred and fifty years ago and it was in what's now the principal's office that he and a German lawyer named Ulrich Huebe developed something crucial to homeowners thoughout Australia and the world.

“This was where the Real Property Act was conceived and most of us have a Torrens Title to our property.”

Just one of many stories on offer at Torrens Park House as part of the Scotch Fair on Sunday 23 November 2003. Tours are also available. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au