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Celebrated every May, South Australia's History Festival explores our history through hundreds of diverse and fascinating community events across the State. In this special Heritage Living feature, we highlight just a handful of the events being organised by the National Trust of South Australia in 2021, from guided walks and behind the scenes glimpses of some of Adelaide’s most significant buildings, to hands-on workshops, storytelling sessions, May Day celebrations and a special Mother’s Day concert.

For more event listings go to the What's On section (pp 31-33).

For more information about South Australia’s History Festival and to book tickets visit www.festival.history.sa.gov.au

Walking with History

About 180 years ago, as the clock struck midnight, women from the German pioneer settlement of Hahndorf were pulling on sturdy boots and shouldering baskets of fresh produce, readying for a long walk to the markets in Adelaide. Since 1980, thousands of walkers have followed in the footsteps of these pioneering women, rambling the 26km from Hahndorf to Beaumont House for the annual Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk. A popular highlight of the Trust’s event calendar, the walk is the longest and most challenging of several being offered during the 2021 History Festival.

People who prefer a more leisurely stroll along city streets can experience North Terrace through the eyes of another pioneering South Australian, Sir Henry Ayers, who spent his days striding between Old Parliament House and his family home, Ayers House. This guided tour is part of celebrations marking his 200th birthday. Alternatively, join the Colonial Gems guided walk from St. Peter’s Cathedral up to the ‘Light’s Vision’ lookout atop Montefiore Hill, and explore why Pennington Terrace, complete with stunning architecture and city views, was once home to some of Adelaide’s highest society. Stepping back into modern-day Adelaide, the Heritage Reborn guided tour encourages walkers to marvel at how heritage buildings in the city centre have stood the test of time and been transformed to suit new and unique purposes.

Henry’s Adelaide: 1-2:30pm, Saturday, 1 May.

Heritage Reborn: 10am, Thursday, 20 May.

Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk: 7:30am-4:00pm, Sunday, 16 May.

Colonial Gems: 10am, Sunday, 30 May.

Special Mother’s Day Concert at Collingrove

Original home for the Angas family estate, Collingrove in the Barossa Valley boasts an ornate Weber baby grand piano, custom-made for its drawing room in the 1910s. Reported to be one of the most expensive models of piano in the world at the time, it has a unique, mellow sound perfectly suited to its surroundings.

The piano will take centre stage in a special intimate afternoon concert curated by the National Trust’s artist in residence, Celia Craig. The former principal oboist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra will be supported by Michael Lerace, an award-winning concert pianist and graduate from the Elder Conservatorium of Music; and cellist Thomas Marlin, who is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The emotionally compelling program will feature nostalgic Edwardian salon pieces by Elgar and Bridge, lyrical and intimate chamber music in trios, modern solo piano pieces by Gershwin and Grainger’s unforgettable Colonial Song

Original Baby Grand Afternoon Concert: 4pm, Sunday, 9 May.

Murder and Mystery

On 1 December 1948, an unknown man was found dead on Somerton Beach. He carried no form of identification and his death sparked international intrigue. The mystery of his identity remains unsolved today. Join this popular walking tour starting from Ayers House and follow the evidence to retrace the Somerton Man’s final day in the city.

Or head north-east of the city and explore another unsolved mystery, which haunts Tea Tree Gully. In 1970, a strange and terrifying creature was sighted. Nicknamed the Houghton Howler, the creature was said to resemble a thylacine. However, it soon disappeared without a trace. For a night of ghost stories and urban myths, meet with others intrigued by this tale at the Tea Tree Gully Heritage Museum.

Unlike the Somerton Man and the Houghton Howler, criminals at the Willunga Courthouse were not only caught, but also identified. Yet, their shocking deeds have been all but forgotten. Delve into Willunga’s heinous past and uncover its dark secrets at a special event for the History Festival.

Night of the Houghton Howler: 7pm, Friday, 7 May.

Somerton Man Mystery: 10am, Saturday, 8 May.

Willunga’s Wicked Ways: Criminals, Crime, and Constables: 2pm, Sunday, 30 May.

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Behind Closed Doors

A series of events throughout May will take participants on guided tours of four Adelaide heritage buildings, including spaces normally inaccessible to the public. From colonisation to the Second World War, the Old Treasury building sat at the very heart of South Australia’s political life. In a welcome return after last year’s disruptions, the popular guided tour of one of the city’s oldest buildings is back for the History Festival. Above ground, explore winding hallways and meet colourful characters from the treasury’s past. Heading below, journey through underground chambers and tunnels, walking the passageway where gold from Victoria was stored before being smelted into Australia’s first gold coin.

For those interested in a very different side to South Australia’s past, the former Glenside Mental Hospital occupies a unique place in the State’s history. For almost 90 years, Z Ward was home to people classified as ‘criminally insane’. Designed by E.J. Woods and completed in 1885, the ward’s innovative architectural features include a Ha-ha — a deceptive ‘wall’ which encircled the building, providing added security.

Opened in 1870, the North Adelaide Baptist Church in Tynte Street is one of the city’s most iconic and unusual church buildings. Since it was gifted to the National Trust last year, extensive conservation work has begun to carefully restore and maintain it. In a special tour and presentation for the History Festival, go behind the scenes to explore the building and find out more about this process and some of the technical challenges encountered.

Alternatively, spend the evening touring Ayers House by candlelight. Although the butler, housekeeper and cook are busy preparing for an upcoming State Dinner, they will have just enough time to show you around Sir Henry Ayers’ grand home on North Terrace. Follow them as they go about their duties and learn what life was like working in one of Adelaide’s finest houses during the 1870s.

Restoration of the North Adelaide Baptist Church

Behind the Scenes Tour: 10am, Monday, 17 May, and Monday, 24 May.

After Dark: 6.30pm, Thursday 6 May, Friday 7 May, Thursday 20 May, Friday 21 May.

Z Ward — Behind the Walls: 2pm, Saturday, 1 May, and Sunday, 23 May.

Old Treasury and Tunnels Tour: 1pm and 3pm, on Sundays in May.