Festival History

Hands-On Experiences

Based around the classic fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk, a fun day out for the whole family will mark the beginning of the History Festival at Ayers House Museum. Listen to the story being told the traditional way, with no need for a book. Follow Jack’s adventure through the clouds, come back down to Earth and make either your own Jack in the Beanstalk or rocking cow to take home. Stay after the storytelling session to explore the museum, dress up in Victorian-era clothing for a family portrait, or write a letter at Sir Henry Ayers' desk.

Meanwhile, adults can develop their creative skills at two workshops to be held at Stangate House and Gardens. Led by the SA China Painters Association, the first workshop will explore the history of porcelain painting in South Australia and give participants the chance to paint their own tile or coaster. Alternatively, learn about the art of signwriting with Peter Foster, master sign-writer, coach builder and wheelwright. Traditionally, house names were painted, carved, or embossed in metal nameplates. This workshop will introduce participants to both the art of setting hand-painted letters and to the tools needed to complete the work.

Jack and the Beanstalk at Ayers House Museum: 10:30am, Saturday, 1 May.

Paint Your Own Porcelain Tile: 10am, Friday, 7 May.

Design Your Own House Name Plate:

PICTURED:

Above: Create your own Jack and the Beanstalk at Ayers House Museum.

Below: A hand-painted porcelain plate.

Online discoveries

Are you interested in knowing more about the history of your house? The National Trust is offering a free, non-accredited course designed to provide you with all the information you need. Using a variety of free online tools, this course covers searching for the title of your home and how to effectively use old street directories and newspapers.

Meanwhile, the Tumby Bay branch will be hosting weekly readings from the diaries of families with longlasting connections to the Eyre Peninsula community. The live readings at the Tumby Bay Museum, every Wednesday in May, will be streamed through the museum’s Facebook page for people who cannot attend in person.

Research the History of Your House: Friday, 1 May to Sunday, 31 May.

Historical Diaries on Eyre Peninsula: 2pm, every Wednesday during May.

May Day in the Port

10am, Saturday, 8 May.

A special May Day march taking in sites of historic significance for unions will be held at Port Adelaide on 1 May, as part of celebrations marking the centenary of the unique Port Adelaide Workers Memorial. Unveiled in 1921, the memorial remains the only Lady of Justice statue in the world erected in recognition of the fight for justice for workers. This year’s march will culminate in a street party on Nile Street, with bands, speeches, food trucks and bars, a petting zoo and an auction.

Initiated by the Port of Adelaide branch of the National Trust, the event is a joint collaboration with the Port Adelaide Enfield Council, SA Maritime Museum and the May Day Collective, which has involved gathering stories about people whose names are featured on the memorial.

The celebrations also include an exhibition featuring the largest display of trade union banners ever seen in Australia, dating from the early 20th century to the present day. The Marching for Justice exhibition will be held at the Maritime Union of Australia Meeting Hall on three weekends during May. Visitors to the port can also explore the history of the memorial and union contributions to the welfare of South Australian workers through two guided walks, featuring large-scale paste-ups of historical images.

May Day in the Port: 1-5pm, Saturday, 1 May.

Marching for Justice exhibition: 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday, 1, 8 and 15 May; and Sunday, 2, 9 and 16 May.

Port Adelaide Workers Memorial Centenary Pasteup Artworks guided walks: 4 pm, Saturday 1 May and 2 pm, Sunday, 9 May.

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