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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
‘My aim is to leave the world better for women’ – Mary Lee was an activist, suffragist and unionist
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1990s
Opened in 1986 the Migration Museum in Adelaide was a world first.
Historical Place | By Catherine Manning, Migration Museum | North Terrace | 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Mike Maka’s mural features a tired rhinocerous carrying the city of Adelaide on its back.
Historical Thing | By Hannah Stewart, History Trust of South Australia | Rundle Street east | 2010s
Narisha Cash's mural acknowledges and celebrates the Kaurna people as the traditional owners and custodians of Adelaide and the Adelaide plains.
Historical Thing | By Catherine Barron, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2010s, Aboriginal Country pre-contact, early twenty–first century
North Terrace east is Adelaide’s premier cultural boulevard
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
Stretching from Adelaide’s first survey point to Parliament House, the character of this part of North Terrace continues to evolve
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, early twenty–first century
The site of countless debates, Old Parliament House dates from 1855
This paint box is believed to have belonged to soldier, public servant and explorer, Captain Charles Sturt.
Collection Item | 1800-1810, 1830s, 1840s
Pannikin used by William Keckwick on expedition with John McDouall Stuart.
Collection Item | 1860s
Michelle Nikou's bronze sculpture stands in almost comic contrast with the plinths that populate North Terrace further west.
Historical Thing | By Catherine Barron, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2010s, early twenty–first century
Barrister, intellectual and proud hedonist, Paris Nesbit was an early starter who allegedly read Milton at three and translated Goethe at ten.
Historical Person | By Peter Moore | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s
The scene of pomp and ceremony, debates and demonstrations
Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1930s, 1950s
A pastoralist who built an empire on sheep and cattle runs, Peter Waite was also a major philanthropist.
Historical Person | By Yvonne Routledge | North Terrace | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s
The Church is a beautiful example of Revival Gothic, quite rare in South Australia. Features include the largest church pipe organ in the state and many magnificent stained glass windows
Historical Place | By Open House Adelaide | 1860s
'Popeye the Sailor' was a popular cartoon at the cinema in the 1930s when Gordon Watts introduced a tourist pleasure craft on the River Torrens
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | River Torrens | 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010
The Presbyterian Church has a long history in South Australia, owing much to the early Scotish community.
Historical Organisation | By John Love | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
Professor William Bragg had an extraordinarily active scientific career in Adelaide.
Historical Person | By John Patterson | 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s
Designed in 1892, Queen’s School became one of South Australia’s leading private schools.
Historical Place | By Cindy Crook, History Trust of South Australia | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
In general refugees have enriched and diversified South Australia’s religions, universities and schools, food, the arts, newspapers, clubs and sports.
Historical Subject | By Kate Walsh | 1830s, 1840s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, mid twentieth century
‘Construction’, ‘Thought’ and ‘Optimism’ make up the three elements of this bronze sculpture by Victor Meertens.
Historical Thing | By Catherine Barron, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1990s, late twentieth century
Richard Bowyer Smith and his brother Clarence could both rightfully claim distinction as the inventors of the stump-jump plough.
Historical Person | By Ros Paterson | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s
A botanist, horticulturist and the director of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Richard Schomburgk was honoured locally as 'the people’s pet'.
Historical Person | By Dr Pauline Payne | North Terrace, Parklands | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s
The River Torrens has dominated the development of Adelaide and its metropolis, often in subtle or little recognised ways
Historical Place | By CR Twidale, University of Adelaide | River Torrens | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s
One of many around the world, this statue of Scottish poet Robert Burns was unveiled in 1894
Historical Thing | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1880s, 1890s, 1930s, 1940s, 1990s
The life size sculpture of Roy 'Mo' Rene on Hindley Street invites intimacy with his casual pose and expression of comic amusement.
Historical Thing | By Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | Hindley Street | 2010s
Artist Samuel Thomas Gill produced a lively visual record of early South Australia.
Historical Person | By Jane Hylton | Hindley Street, North Terrace | 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s
Serbians migrated to South Australia from the 1940s - 1990s to escape various forms of prosecution and have since established a wide community.
Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1990s, early twentieth century, Second World War
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
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