2007 SA History Week

SA History Week 2007 was a resounding success with the fourth annual event gaining real momentum.

The event was held from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 May, during which time many organisations and community groups displayed their part in South Australia’s history by being included in the comprehensive program of activities.  The range of activities the public involved themselves in included family history research, open days, seminars, special exhibitions and events, guided walks, re-enactments, plays, camps, dinners and much more. 

The SA History Week 2007 program included over 240 activities and for a second year, it also included Open Doors in the City. This special program, presented by Adelaide City Council, encouraged 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.

History Trust of South Australia Chief Executive, Margaret Anderson, says “The History Trust was overwhelmed by the response to History Week this year. Most of the special tours were booked out soon after the program was released and could have been filled many times over. Advice from participants suggests that there was at least a 50 per cent increase in participation this year, which means that more than 45,000 people throughout the State took part in at least one event. We are delighted by the level of community interest in our history and pay tribute to the many volunteers in the community who made the week such a success and who work so hard to keep our history alive and relevant.”

A small selection of activities that were on offer included:

·       A footy match where the South Adelaide Football Club players wore replica 1877 guernseys to mark the club’s 130 years of organised football matches

·       A historic walk revealing the silent stories of the city’s bronze and stone memorials

·       A heritage bus tour of Auburn, Sevenhill and Mintaro, including Martindale Hall

·       Streaky Bay stepping back in time with the operation of the blacksmith forge with other motors and machinery

·       Ships reunions for various liners and nationalities, celebrating the stories of people’s journeys to Australia at the South Australian Maritime Museum

·       A display celebrating 100 years of world scouting

·       A fascinating look at the role of churches and hotels in 19^th century society

·       Behind the scenes guided tours of the Medina Grand, formerly the Treasury Building, including the underground tunnels

·       Discovering early Scottish history at Glenbarr, Strathalbyn

·       Seeing how the simplest of stitches could create beautiful objects in an embroidery exhibition

·       A ‘roaring forties’ display in Unley

·       Exploring the colonial residence of Captain Charles Sturt along with the ritual of a high tea

·       A presentation on the history of bicycles and pennyfarthings

·       A re-enactment of life at Beaumont House in the 19^th century

·       ‘Candlelight and shadows’ after-dark tours of Ayers House

·       A tour of Houghton, a historic hills village dating back to 1841

·       157 years of history at the Adelaide Gaol Family Day

For more information, contact Jan Mudge on 8203 9877 or emal: jmudge@history.sa.gov.au

Click here for a copy of the 2007 SA History Week program.

To view all Glass Negative images used in the 2007 program click here.

2006 SA History Week

SA History Week was launched with a bang on Friday 19 May 2006. A group of uniformed volunteers from the Fort Glanville Historical Association fired a small cannon on Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide. This was a re-enactment of a tradition in the mid 1800s of firing a 9 lb ‘noon-day gun’ to notify residents and businesses in Adelaide the time was 12.00 noon.  The Fort Glanville Historical Association continued to fire the cannon on working days for the duration of SA History Week.

SA History Week was held from Saturday 20 to Sunday 28 May 2006 and included a record number of over 270 activities in and around Adelaide and across the State. During the week many organisations and community groups displayed their part in South Australia’s history by being included in the comprehensive program of events. The range of activities included family history research, open days, seminars, special exhibitions and events, guided walks and much more.

The SA History Week program also included the new SA Open Heritage program. An initiative of former Environment and Conservation Minister John Hill, SA Open Heritage was a joint venture between the Department of Environment and Heritage and the History Trust of South Australia. As part of SA Open Heritage, the Adelaide City Council and the National Trust of South Australia developed a special ‘Open Doors’ program for the City of Adelaide.

SA Open Heritage allowed public access to 74 of Adelaide’s loveliest state heritage listed buildings.

For more information can contact Jan Mudge on 8203 9877 or email: jmudge@history.sa.gov.au

Click here for a copy of the 2006 SA History Week program.

To view all Glass Negative images used in the 2006 program click here.

2005 SA History Week

2005 SA History Week continued the success of the previous year and continued to grow. One hundred and thirty organisations in Adelaide and across the State registered and conducted 160 events during the week 21-29 May.

The volunteers, who spend many hours planning and presenting these events, were greatly rewarded by the positive comments they received from visitors

To view a copy of the 2005 program booklet click here.

2004 SA History Week

2004 saw the state's inaugural History Week organised by the History Trust of South Australia. The week was a great success with activities held all over the state.

To view a copy of the 2004 program click here