Historic Enfield home offering buyers a rare time capsule

You could be forgiven for thinking you have stepped back in time when looking through this historic home – several different times, in fact.

The 168-year-old property is like a time capsule offering a snapshot of what homes looked like decades – even a century – ago in real time.

Bright 90-year-old wallpaper, original fireplaces and patterned carpet have been perfectly preserved in some rooms, while vintage furniture and artwork in ornate frames enhance the historic feel.

The landmark Enfield property at 2B Gurney Tce was one of the first home’s north of Adelaide, with agricultural pioneer Charles French Folland building it in circa 1858.

More recently Melanie and Greg Humphrys have called the 1485sqm property home after purchasing it in 1991.

It is now being offered to buyers for the first time in 35 years.

While they have upgraded the eight-bedroom, two-level home, they have also retained much of its original character charm.

“It’s always been a beautiful home but it needed work when we arrived, including removing polystyrene tiles from the ceiling,” Ms Humphreys said.

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“The home still features Huon pine fireplaces and original 90-year-old wallpaper in the front room.

“My husband Greg has since restored the bedroom ceilings and built the gardens up from nothing.

“He’s really become a bit like Mr Folland, trying his hand at everything.”

Mr Folland cultivated wheat and a pine forest on the Enfield property, with timber from his trees used to construct Adelaide’s Government House.

Other historic features of the property include an original stone and brick coach house, as well as a lily pilly tree from the pioneer era.

“There’s a historical photo of Mr Folland with his descendants on his 92nd birthday in front of that lily pilly tree, and it is still going strong,” Ms Humphrys said.

Ray White Campbelltown principal Nick Borrelli, who is selling the property with George Maitanos, said an estate of such scale and heritage pedigree was a rarity.

“This is a landmark holding of extraordinary scale, character, and historical significance,” Mr Borrelli said.

“It offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure one of the district’s most distinguished homes.

“While the property retains its grand period detailing and original stone coach house, the sheer proportions provide a highly adaptable canvas for the next owner.

“Beautifully preserved yet offering clear potential to further enhance, restore, or reimagine, this property represents a premier intersection of history, significant landholding, and future opportunity.”

The property will be auctioned on July 17.