SA History Week is a popular community event, held annually since May 2004. It is an opportunity for all South Australian organisations and community groups to showcase their part in South Australia’s rich and diverse history.

The event attracts phenomenal community and media interest, reflecting the high level of curiosity that South Australians have for their history. It taps into the community’s desire to come together to share and celebrate South Australia’s history and heritage.

Participants since 2004 have included major cultural institutions, local museums and historical societies, businesses, heritage-listed places, archives, churches, libraries, local councils, universities, schools and private individuals. In 2008 over 200 organisations will be presenting close to 300 activities, including guided tours, talks, displays, open days, special events and school programs. 

Click here to download a copy of the 2008 Program

A popular part of SA History Week since 2006 is Open Doors: Unlocking History, which encourages South Australians to discover the treasures that lie within many of Adelaide’s heritage buildings, a number of which are not usually open to the public.  

It is estimated that in 2007 over 45,000 South Australians and visitors to the State experienced one or more activities and that around 1600 volunteers contributed their time to the event. Events were held in roughly equal numbers in both the city and in the country, which made History Week a genuinely representative and inclusive event on the South Australian community calendar.

Most History Week activities are presented free to the public or at minimal charge, allowing a wide socio-economic cross-section of the community to participate. The event involves people of all ages, from those in their 70s and 80s right down to primary school children.

In conclusion, SA History Week attracts widespread community support and demonstrates the impact that history and heritage can have on building a strong South Australian community that understands and values its past and is confident of its place in the world and of its future.  

The range of activities the public can involve themselves in include family history research, open days, talks, special exhibitions and events, guided walks, re-enactments, film screenings, dances, dinners and much more.  This year’s program includes close to 300 activities that over 45,000 people are expected to experience.