The House

The main house was built by Fredrick Dutton in 1860 for the long serving manager, Mr. Alexander Buchannan.

Whilst comfortable, it was built as three pavilions connected by an open verandah, with a simple “Georgian” style porch at the front door, however the house has been extensively remodeled, extended and upgraded regularly almost immediately after it was completed.

HOUSE FOYER

HOUSE INTERIOR

The most significant changes came about when Henry Dutton inherited Anlaby from his uncle in 1890.

At that time Henry built a new house for the estate manager (another large Victorian stone villa), now the dower house.

When Henry Dutton decided to make Anlaby one of his homes, the verandah was enclosed, a new Victorian front with cast iron posts and lace work created, the servant quarters extended including bigger kitchen, butler’s pantry and scullery.

The dining room was enlarged, lined with imported beautiful oak paneling and overmantels above the windows and doors and furnished with the most beautiful furniture and silver. The old front door was closed off and a new entrance created. During this period Henry built the billiard room and a small ballroom.

The next period of activity was again associated with generational change when Henry’s son; Henry (Harry) inherited. Harry and his wife, the glamorous Emily, built the large library and a new south front. Both the library and colonnaded south front were designed by acclaimed Adelaide architect, Walter Baggot.

Visitors to Anlaby experience the culmination of generations of building work, with beautiful heritage wallpapers, textiles and carpets complimented by the current owner’s furniture.

With a total of 32 rooms, the house is a happy mix of Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Arts & Crafts styles. There are cedar panelled ceilings, lead lights windows from the 1860’s and 1890’s, William Morris wallpapers and carpets and embroidered silk and silver curtains in the Drawing Room.

The last Duttons to live at Anlaby were Geoffrey, Ninette and their children. Geoffrey and Ninette were authors and while they lived here, the house hosted a procession of the notable artists, poets, art critics and authors of the time; amongst them, Sydney Nolan and Patrick White.

Guided tours of the house and garden are available.

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the house

Visitors to Anlaby experience the culmination of generations of building work, with beautiful heritage wallpapers, textiles and carpets complimented by the current owner’s furniture.

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