| Who built the house and when? |  |
It was built by William Perry for his son Herbert and wife Leila in 1885/1886. William Perry and his family lived at Folkstone which stood high on the hill where Our Lady of Victories Church now stands.
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| Who were the Perrys? | |
William Perry, established a thriving ironmongery business in Queen Street in 1860. William was also a member of the Legislative Council. His son, Herbert, and his brother Geroge, carried on the well known business for many years. The family also owned considerable amounts of property in the Bowen Hills/Newstead area. Nearby Perry Park was their cow and horse paddock, and Herbert held numerous other nearby properties, including Newstead House in the 1890s.
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| How much land once surrounded the house? | |
The boundaries of the property have remained unchanged. Jordan Terrace was subdivided in 1875 and Miegunyah built on block 12 which is approximately half an acre.
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| Has the house changed much over the years? | |
The exterior is much as it was in 1886. However the house was divided into three flats following the Second World War and this changed the floor plan drastically. Many of the rooms have been returned to their original appearance over the last twenty years, as has the detached stable building.
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| Is the house furnished with items that belonged to the Perrys? | |
No, most of the original fittings and furniture have disappeared. The cedar pelmets over the french doors were found under the house and are thought to date from the Perry occupancy. The leadlight in the rear hallway is original, and there is a picnic basket engraved "William Perry". All the remainder of the furniture on display has been donated and dates to 1900 or earlier. Many pieces were once owned by early Queensland pioneers.
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| What type of lighting was used in the house? | |
The house was lit and heated by gas and some of the gas fireplaces fittings can still be seen.
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| Did the iron lace on the veranda come out as ballast on sailing ships? | |
No. This was manufactured by the Brisbane firm of Smith Forrester, whose name can be seen stamped on the base of the filigree columns.
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| What is the origin of the name, Miegunyah? | |
Miegunyah was a popular name for houses and properties in the late 19th century and is thought to be an Anglicised version of the Aboriginal name for a dwelling, gunyah. Hence Miegunya or My Home.
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