Project Pentridge

Get your mitts on some real history! 😲

It is with great excitement and interest that I am able to share these never before seen photos of the original Governors Residence at Pentridge Prison.

The photos are part of a personal collection which were sent to me by Trevor Wolfe, whose Great Grandfather was the first Governor of Pentridge and features in one of the photos with his wife.

The photos throw much light on the residence and the surrounding Governors Garden, as well as glimpses of early sections of Pentridge and a small look into the boundary walls.
The photos are undated and any ideas on pinning down dates are most welcome.

What can you see in them? Can anyone identify any of the wonderful flowers in the gardens?

The original Governors Residence was on the northern end of the Laundry (which still stands today) as can be seen in this photo of a plan which hangs in a hallway on the 23rd floor of the Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria.

Sometime in the 1940s (?) the residence was flattened and a new smaller residence was built along side an inspectors residence to the south of the Boot Factory and B Division yard.. and under the shelter of 1 Post.

This is correct to the best of my knowledge but im also interested in discussing further with anyone.

In all my years on searching for information and plans of the original Governors Residence at Pentridge Prison, I have only ever come across the following 3 photos which I believe are from the State Library Victoria and the Coburg Historical Society.

Recently, I received a message from someone offering some photos of the Governors Residence along with a photo of his Great Grandfather who was the first Governor of Pentridge. 😲
There are 12 or so photos I will be posting up later today so stay tuned for these very rare and pretty much never before seen photos.

Congratulations Adrian Didlick and Katinka Strolch on your book Pentridge Prison - inside out 👏👏👏❤

What a wonderful achievement and marvellous journey this must have been and will continue to be for you.
I can't express how greatful I am for your sharing of your personal recorded history of Pentridge Adrian. These photos capture the essence of our dark past and evoke countless thoughts on what it was/would have been like to know nothing but bluestone, concrete and grass day after day.
So many of these photos can simply not be replicated any longer, too much has changed or does not exist.
The arrangement of photos has been beautifuly done Katinka. Taking us on a tour of each area and telling the story of each division and area with each photo drawing you to the next.

Get your copy now by going to:
https://www.pentridgeinsideout.com
before they sell out. ❤

2020 is here and school is in.

Things are about to ramp up here and no stone will be left unturned.

Thanks to those that have been here from the beginning and welcome to those that are just joining us.

Here is a cross section of the wall which runs south fron 1 POST. Unfortunately this wall has been cut to make way for Pentridge Boulevard.

On the bright side, a great chance to the history of the perimeter wall height.

I must say, I am not 100% on the dates or heights but am going from memory of things I have read in the past. The wall was originally only 10ft high.. then extended to 12ft.. before becoming the 18ft of today. Happy to be corrected on this!

Thanks Jason for this great photo that clearly shows the difference in bluestone/bluestone layers.

SECRET WIRELESS IN PRISON!

Alleged bribery and smuggling at Pentridge.

Sometime in 1928, two wireless radio sets were discovered under the floors of a prisoners' cell.

They used the water pipes under the cell to earth the radios to get them to work.

During an inquiry on a different matter at an ex- convicts home, prisoner letters were found which had different handwritting to that on the envelopes.

Gaol officials suspected that a warder addressed the envelopes.

It is believed that the warder had been bribed with £4 to smuggle the receiving sets into Pentridge, and also bring in headsets for £2 a pair.

Things might have been quiet here over the weekend but I am working away in my cell.
If all goes to PLAN, I can get out out of here and show the latest of Project Pentridge.

Pentridge reveals its first modification.
Walls are built and others demolished.

😏⛓😲⚒🤔🗝😮🔒🧐