Farr House

Aka ‘The Orphan Home, Adelaide’

In 1860 a small group of members of the Church Of England, disturbed by conditions in the Destitute Asylum in Adelaide, set about planning the establishment of a small institution to house neglected children in a home environment. That year, six girls were brought together at the home of a church member, infant teacher Mrs Gamble. Shortly afterwards, the committee took over a run-down building in Carrington Street which they refurbished and reopened in 1861 with a sign above the gate, Orphan Home. Initially home to 7 girls, over the years it had an average occupation of 30 girls; mostly of primary school age, but in later years the Home also took in teenagers. In 1908 the Home moved to the former home of Mr O’Halloran Giles at Mitcham. In 1935, when the home was incorporated, it was renamed Farr House after Mrs Julia Farr who had been integral to the establishment and continuation of the home.

— Information derived from SA Link-Up website

Also known as The Orphan Home, Adelaide

From Finding Your Own Way Home – A guide to records of children’s homes in South Australia:

In 1860 a small group of members of the Church of England, disturbed by conditions in the Destitute Asylum in Adelaide, set about planning the establishment of a small institution to house neglected children in a home environment. That year six girls were brought together at the home of a church member, infant teacher Mrs Gamble. Shortly afterwards, the committee took over a run-down building in Carrington Street which they refurbished and opened in 1861 with a sign above the gate, Orphan Home.

Seven girls were the first residents and over its years of operation this number rose to an average of thirty. Most girls were primary school age, but in the homes’ later years teenage girls were also accepted.

The Orphan Home remained in Carrington Street until 1908. In that year it moved to the former home of Mr O’Halloran Giles at Mitcham. This home offered larger grounds so a vegetable garden was planted and space was available for keeping a cow and hens. In 1935, when the home was incorporated, it was renamed Farr House after Mrs Julia Farr whose hard work had been integral to the establishment and continuation of the home.

Girls at the home attended daily and weekly Anglican worship and were trained in the domestic arts. Most girls were expected to leave the home at sixteen and enter into service. In later years, girls attended the local parish school, St Michaels, as well as nearby state schools. In the 1950s they were encouraged into professional training, particularly nursing.

Changes in social attitudes towards child care in the 1970s meant that the number of girls in the home declined and in 1980 the home was closed.