History

Ardenlee was built at the end of the Gold Rush era around 1868. It is believed that a member of the Stone family was the original owner.

The Stone family were merchants who opened a shop and sold expensive European gowns to the wealthy ladies of the town.

In the early 1960's the property was sold to the church. The Patrician nuns lived in the house. A very "sixties" school room and dormitories was squeezed into the land behind the property. Here the nuns taught and trained teachers for the local catholic schools.

The church sold the property to a local entrepreneur in 1999. It was used for several attempted ventures including a computer training centre, a travel agents school, and other ventures.

Marian spotted Patrician House, as it was then named in 2008. It had been empty for over a year. She saw the potential in the tired old house and it was purchased in February of that year.
The house was stripped back to a bare shell and the serious work of restoration was begun.

Restoration in the truest sense of the word is not possible if you wish to enjoy the conveniences that we all expect in modern living. Originally, for example there was no lighting - only candles and oil lamps. Later, gas lighting was installed using lead pipes. This was superseded by primitive, cotton wrapped electrical wiring. Some time later more modern wiring was installed and then it was re-wired again.

Marian has skilfully incorporated the best decorative features of the era in terms of beautiful period wall papers, ornate ceiling roses, classic lighting and wide Victorian cornices with their distinctive deep gutters and detailed paintwork.