Definitely one of the things to do in Adelaide...
Visit the Adelaide Gaol, a major part of Adelaide's heritage.
As one of the two oldest public buildings in Adelaide, the Gaol has
much to offer in the way of education, history and entertainment.
You can learn about Adelaide's penal history and its architecture
from the time of the early settlers right through to today.
Wander around the Gaol at your leisure or book a place on one of
our guided History Tours, maybe you would prefer a night time
Ghost Tour or even participate in a Paranormal Workshop.
All tours are run by the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc.
which is a not for profit organisation and is run entirely by volunteers.
The Society conducts the original and authentic Gaol Tours and is
not affiliated with any privately run Gaol tour operators.
Individuals, families and groups are all welcome and there is plenty
of free parking.
Coming Events at the Gaol
History Tours
Join a Guided History Tour (fee applies) of the Adelaide Gaol on any
Sunday at 11.00am, 12.00noon or 1.00pm
Private groups of 12 or more people can be booked at a time to suit
you. Contact the Gaol on 08 8231 4062 during normal business hours
on Monday to Friday for details.
The Adelaide Gaol was built in 1841 and along with Government House
is one of the two oldest public buildings in Adelaide.
Ghost Tours
Public ghost tours are held on every Thursday, Friday and Saturday
night.
Bookings are essential (Phone 08 8231 4062)
Private groups of 12 to 20 people can be scheduled to suit your needs
Did you know that the Gaol is reputed to be one of the most haunted
sites in South Australia? Come and hear the ghostly stories and paranormal
activities associated with the Gaol and it's ghostly residents.
Twilight Tours.
The Adelaide Gaol will be running a special Twilight Tour on Sunday
the 19th February 2012. The tour will start at 5:30pm and run
for approximately 1.5 hours.
Our Twilight Tours are spooky and mysterious yet fun for the whole
family.
These tours are designed especially for under 15 year olds and will
include information about the Gaol's fascinating past as well as some
interesting stories about the ghosts and spirits who still wander
the Gaol's grounds and buildings.
Admission is $17.00 for adults and $11.00 for children. Family passes
are available for $50.00 (Family passes include 2 adults and 2 children).
Please phone the Gaol during office hours on 08 8231 4062 as bookings
are essential.
Paranormal Workshops.
Have you ever wanted to explore the paranormal?
Do you want to investigate the Adelaide Gaol's ghosts?
Jeff Fausch, in conjunction with the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society
Inc., gives you the opportunity to participate in a fascinating paranormal
workshop.
Conducted in a safe and scientific manner, with constant supervision,
these workshops give you the chance to find out about the paranormal
in one of Adelaide's most haunted sites, the Adelaide Gaol!
Learn to use our equipment, watch some video footage and photos of
paranormal activity at the Gaol and have the opportunity to do your
own investigation.
The next Paranormal Workshop will be held on 11 February 2012.
Our Workshops run from 5:00pm to 7:00am the next morning.
Download
your free Paranormal Investigation Information Kit here.
These workshops are always very popular and fill very quickly. Please
register your interest now as we will have limited places available
for the next workshop. Cost is $140.00 per person which includes supper,
refreshments and a continental breakfast.
Please call the Gaol on 08 8231 4062 during normal business hours
to book a place on one of our coming Workshops.
Virtual Tour
Prepare yourself for an exciting experience! Take a virtual
tour of the Adelaide Gaol.
Do you have what it takes to:
- Experience life behind bars!
- Become a prisoner and see life from the "inside".
- Serve your time and lose your freedom!
View some areas of the
Adelaide Gaol and prepare yourself for the real thing then, when
you are ready, come and experience the Adelaide Gaol in person by
doing a "real time" tour.
A glimpse into the past...
Thomas Blyth
Executed 9 January 1930
The sentence of death was passed on Thomas Blyth for the murder of
his wife and was carried out at Adelaide Gaol on 9 January 1930. He
walked to the scaffold in silence. Just before the hood was fitted
over his head he said, “There is only one thing I regret and
that is that I did not get Warren.”
Mr Warren was a [former] friend who had recently lost his wife.
Blyth had suggested to Warren that he should move into their home
for a while but
the arrangement soon soured when Blyth suspected his wife and Warren
of having an improper relationship. The marriage became further strained
and their eighteen year marriage ended when Mrs Blyth moved out, taking
her 14 year old daughter with her to live in Wattle Street, Malvern.
Blyth later bought a revolver, telling the salesman that he wanted
to shoot stray cats. Blyth shot his wife Sarah at a house in Wattle
Street, Malvern a few days later on 30 September 1929. After the shooting
he went to the nearby Cremorne Hotel to look for Mr Warren.
Unable to find Warren, he continued on to his Goodwood home where
police found
him in a drunken sleep a short time later.
Thomas Blyth was a 39 year old tramways employee who had always been
a heavy drinker. It was some time before he was sober enough to be
interviewed over the shooting but police only required a few minutes
of questioning before there was sufficient evidence to charge him
with murder.
When Blyth came to trial Mr J B Kearney, the defence council, attempted
to procure an acquittal on the grounds of temporary insanity through
drunkenness but the jury brought in a verdict of guilty of murder
with a recommendation for mercy. The judge, Mr Justice Piper, told
the court that he agreed with the verdict reached by the jury and
would forward the recommendation for mercy to the authorities. Blyth
then received the mandatory death sentence before contemptuously blowing
a kiss to the court as he was lead away.
The Court of Criminal Appeal dismissed the appeal against Blyth’s
conviction and
death sentence. The court was of the opinion there were no symptoms
of insanity and there had been no miscarriage of justice.
On 7 January 1930 Executive Council, presided over by the Deputy Governor,
Sir
George Murray, considered the recommendation for mercy and a petition
containing 1400 signatures requesting a reprieve. They decided that
the law would take its course.
On 9 January 1930 the legal process was completed when Blyth went
to the gallows in the New Building unrepentant for his crime and showing
no remorse.
oooOOooo
Become a Volunteer
Would you like to become a volunteer at the Adelaide Gaol
and share its history?
We currently need volunteers to assist in organising and maintaining
the many Gaol activities. 'On the job' training will be provided.
We especially require day and night time tour guides, cleaners, handymen
and shop assistants. In fact, all skills would be greatly appreciated.
People who are interested in one of South Australia's oldest heritage
sites and are available for a few hours each week should contact
the President of the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc.
The Adelaide
Gaol Volunteer Application Form can be downloaded and completed
prior to your meeting with the President and the Gaol Manager.
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