South Australia's History Festival 1 -31 May 2021

South Australians are encouraged to explore 'change' with the History Festival. This annual event running from the 1 - 31 May is the state's largest open-access, community-led festival. Featuring more than 600 events and experiences registered from tours, talks, performances, workshops and more. The History Festival promotes South Australia's wonderful collections, places and stories through an amazing range of history related activities from hundreds of event organisers and community organisations. 

Find the online program guide >>here at historyfestival.sa.gov.au

Search by keyword, date, region or program type to find History Festival events near you. Across metropolitan Adelaide and throughout regional areas, from the Riverland to Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges to the Fleurieu and so many places in between, the History Festival has plenty to get you out and about. This year the 'My Festival' planner [+ Add to My Festival] enables you to collect events and personalise your festival program.
 

One of the many History Festival events includes:

The Poetry Takeover Challenge - Encouraging South Australian Students to engage with history through poetry
Entires open: Saturday 1 May 2021 and close Monday 31 May 2021
Prizes: Awarded in June 2021 per category
The History Trust of South Australia invites all South Australian school students in Years 4 through 9 to respond to the collections in museums and galleries by entering a piece of poetry and a photo of the inspiring object into the Poetry Takeover Challenge at the annual History Festival.
Visit: https://poetrytakeover.history.sa.gov.au/
 

A small taste of some of the History Festival events on offer:

Open Doors – Start your 2021 History Festival by exploring some of South Australia’s most interesting places and spaces. Open Doors is your chance to get behind the facades of some built heritage gems with tours, open days, talks and more.

Devonshire Tea at Dunluce Castle
10 May, 9.30am, 11.30am & 1.30pm, Dunluce Castle, Brighton
- Guided tour of 1912 Dunluce Castle, with all proceeds to the Cancer Council SA and Holdfast Bay History Centre 

Metropolitan Events
War Letters and Family History: History Harvest
13 May 5.30pm - 7.30pm, Bar Smith Library, University of Adelaide, Dept of History
- Bring share and discuss family correspondence from World War II with PhD candidate Emma Carson and family history expert Associate Professor Katie Barclay

After Dark
6, 7, 20 & 21 May 6-7pm, Ayers House Museum, National Trust of SA
- Step back in time to 1876 and join the butler, housekeeper and cook on a special visit to Ayers house.

Ancient Ukrainian Art Workshop: Trypillian Art
16 May 12 - 3pm, Ukrainian Museum, Ukrainian Women’s Association in SA
- Learn about Trypillian art and create a Trypillian inspired painting on paper

Regional Events
Angaston
Angaston Blacksmith Shop & Angaston History Centre
1 & 2 May 10am-4pm. Every other weekend in May 1-4pm, Angaston Blacksmith Shop & Museum
- Visit this mid to late 19th-century building saved by the community and see demonstrations from a blacksmith with working forge

Berri
Tech Savvy: Scanning Photos, Slides and Negatives 
27 May 2021 5 - 6pm, Berri Library
- Learn how to scan your historic photographs, negatives and slides to digital images 

Clare
1920s Vintage Fashion
2 May 2021, 2-5pm, Clare Town Hall, National Trust of SA - Clare Branch
- 1920s fashion talk by curator Sandy Whitelaw with garments from the National Trust costume collection
 

Naracoorte
Naracoorte Cemetery Tour
16 May 2021, 1.30-3.30pm, Naracoorte Cemetery
- Guided tour of Naracoorte Cemetery, first opened in 1864

Willunga
Willunga's Wicked Way: Criminals, Crime and Constables
30 May 2021, 2pm, Willunga Courthouse Museum, National Trust of SA - Willunga Branch
- Listen to the stories of criminal cases that are part of Willunga’s fascinating history

Please note bookings are essential for events and cost/prices vary between events