House belonging to Joseph Gilbert, before the roof shingles were covered with iron. Gilbert is standing on balcony (right).

Joseph Gilbert arrived in South Australia in 1839 and settled at Pewsey Vale where he became a pastoralist and vigneron. His house is described in part by Dorothy Gilbert, one of his grandchildren, in her 'Reminiscences', published in 1973:

'There were cooks, parlour maids and kitchen maids to look after the family as well as governesses for the children. With frequent visitors there were visitors quarters: a semi-underground sitting room with a double & single bedroom attached, this little suite was approached from outside by a glass door opening on to the lower verandah, & from inside by a rather steep wooden staircase. Outside in the garden there was a large living-room & separate bedroom, built as bachelor quarters, & usually occupied by the single men visitors.'

Bayfield, Juliana. The Gilbert Collection children's books and games from the 1880s & 1890s, [Adelaide: The Library], 1983

Gilbert, Dorothy. 'Country life in the later nineteenth century: reminiscences', South Australiana vol. 12 no, 2 September 1973, pp. 57-70

Morphett, Geo C. (ed.) The Gilberts of Pewsey Vale, Adelaide: Pioneers' Association of S.A., 1949