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A pioneering businesswoman, Gladys Sym Choon was a well known member of South Australian society.
Historical Person | By Catherine Manning, Migration Museum | Rundle Street east | early twentieth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century
One of Adelaide’s oldest buildings, Government House welcomes thousands of visitors each year
Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, 2000-2010
Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Central Market continue to attract people to Grote Street
Historical Place | By Margaret Anderson and Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
In 1910 thousands of people lined the Torrens to see the carnival of lavishly decorated boats in the first Henley-on-Torrens Regatta
Historical Event | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | Parklands, River Torrens | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
An eclectic mix since foundation, Hindley Street has seen it all
Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Hindley Street | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
A collection of nearly 400 objects related to the foundation and settlement of the British colony of South Australia.
Collection Level Description | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s
Holy Trinity Church is the earliest surviving Anglican Church building in South Australia, and one of Adelaide’s oldest standing structures.
Historical Place | By James Hunter, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
The oldest of North Terrace’s cultural buildings
Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Ivor Henry Thomas Hele was an official war artist in North Africa, New Guinea and Korea; possibly Australia’s most important war artist.
Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
Fisher became the first Mayor of Adelaide in 1840 and the first resident South Australian to be knighted in 1860
Historical Person | By Allison Russell, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s
A man of many parts, Martin was an inventor, politician, philanthropist, engineer and ‘The Father of Gawler’.
Historical Person | By Derek Whitelock | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s
Jennifer Cashmore was a trailblazer in South Australian politics.
Historical Person | By Amy Morrison & Larrie Strautmanis | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s, 2020s
This sample of jerky came from the successful expedition made by John McDouall Stuart across Australia from south to north in 1861 - 1862.
Collection Item | 1860s
Jessie Mary Cooper was the first woman elected to South Australia’s parliament.
Historical Person | By Dr Helen Jones | 1850s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
Joachim Wendt was a Danish-born silversmith whose work included extravagant naturalism, Edwardian style, and restrained Regency taste.
Historical Person | By Richard Phillips | North Terrace, Rundle Street east | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s
The father of Mount Barker, John Dunn lived a long and successful life as a miller, merchant and philanthropist in South Australia.
Historical Person | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | 1800-1810, 1820s, 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s
The John Jefferson Bray Memorial Fountain commemorates the life of a senior judge, scholar and poet
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | Southeast corner | 1910s, 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1990s
Explorer and surveyor John McDouall Stuart was celebrated as a hero for leading the first European expedition to cross Australia from south to north.
Historical Person | By Peter Bowyer | North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s
The statue of inland explorer John McDouall Stuart at the corner of Victoria Square and Flinders Street, Adelaide, commemorates his place in Australian history
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton and Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1960s
John Morphett, namesake of the Adelaide suburb Morphettville, contributed widely to the cultural and economic support of early south Australia.
Historical Person | By Carol Fort | 1830s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s
‘If worth doing, do it well’ was the motto of John Bagshaw, pioneering designer and manufacturer of agricultural machinery.
Historical Person | By Ros Paterson | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s
Julian Woods was the co-founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and a creative priest, educationist and scientist.
Historical Person | By Sister Margaret Press | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s
Celebration, commemoration and protest happen amid the grand buildings that line Adelaide's main thoroughfare
Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
The shining steel and simple form of Knot typifies the work of sculptor Herbert (Bert) Flugelman.
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Explorer and surveyor Lawrence Wells survived gruelling expeditions but died after being struck by a railcar.
Historical Person | By Rod Cramer | North Terrace | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s
The evolving profession in South Australia retained some centuries-old practices.
Historical Subject | By Peter Moore | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1980s
Manufacturing chemist Luther Scammell prepared compounds, saved a struggling business, and coined the name ‘Solyptol’.
Historical Person | By Peter Donovan | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s
Mahomet Allum was described in glowing testimonials as 'the wonder man' and by his adversaries as a 'quack'.
Historical Person | By Vedrana Budimir & Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | Central Market | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
A phenomenally successful athlete, Marjorie Jackson Nelson went on to become a governor of South Australia
Historical Person | By Prof John Daly | North Terrace | 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Adelaide’s longest running gay venue, located at 120 Gouger Street and known, until recently, as the Mars Bar, first opened in December 1976.
Historical Place | By Nikki Sullivan, Migration Museum | Southwest corner | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s, mid twentieth century
Discover the people who have shaped Adelaide
Explore the city's built environment and famous Parklands
Find the stories behind the city's public artworks, monuments and memorials
Browse some of the themes that contextualise the city's history
Learn about the organisations that have made the city tick
Find out what's drawn people into the city's streets
Explore some of the early maps, plans and panoramas that trace the development of the city
Discover the city's history through a rich collection of museum objects
Explore Adelaide by following a themed tour
Share your memories, stories and pictures with the Adelaidia community