Stories
Explore fascinating stories from the collections of the State Library of South Australia.
We also have extended stories from the collection for you to read and explore.
It pops! It bubbles! - How Barossa Pearl changed wine drinking in Australia
The stories that make us.The Barossa Valley has long been famous for its exceptional wines, but did you know it is also the birthplace of a wine that changed...
Tasty treasures at the Royal Adelaide Show
The stories that make us.The Royal Adelaide Show holds cherished memories for many South Australians. From riding a tractor for the first time to watching cattle being judged or...
Open hearts, open minds
The stories that make us.Revealed through diaries, newspapers and memorabilia held in State Library collections, discover the early days of a little known but living faith, Unitarianism. Its motto...
Debs, dobs and doodles
The stories that make us.Something to warm the cockles in the depths of winter. Three presenters put three quirky topics under the spotlight to reveal the diversity of State...
Sir Josiah Symon: barrister, benefactor, bibliophile and bon vivant
The stories that make us.Sir Josiah Symon was the most prominent barrister in late 19 th and early 20 th century South Australia. He was an influential state and...
Art and craft of taxidermy
The stories that make us.Taxidermy was part of the 19 th century interest in natural science sparked by discoveries of scientists such as Charles Darwin. It became something of...
The West End Brewery archive
The stories that make us.When the gates closed at the West End Brewery site in Adelaide in June 2021, the State Library received a donation offer for the business...
Written Out – Maria Gandy: Colonel Light’s lady, Dr Mayo’s wife
The stories that make us.Maria Gandy was companion to South Australia’s first Surveyor-General and founder of Adelaide, Colonel William Light. She was referred to publicly as his housekeeper and...
The story of an Italian market gardening family
The stories that makes usIt’s 1949, on the banks of the River Torrens at Lockleys, and two young boys are milking a cow so their mother can make cheese...
Double-cut fritz and sauce roll and a cup of tea please
The stories that make us.What was on the dinner menu at Government House in 1867? Take a look into the history of the wonderful gastronomic world of South Australian...
WH Edmunds: The magnificent mapmaker
The stories that make us.The following saying has never been more true than for WH Edmunds. His maps are the jewels in the crown of the Map Collection of...
From the Library Shelf
The stories that make us.Did you attend school in the mid to late 1960s in South Australia? Chances are you might remember the radio program ‘ From the Library...
The ruined medieval manuscript...
Fragmentarium is an international, online research laboratory for uploading digital copies of fragments from hand-written medieval books, known as manuscripts. This landmark project started at...
From nature, to stone, to paper: Gould's birds of Australia
The stories that make us.Do you love to catch a flash of bright colour when you hear a parrot above? Or perhaps you like to spy a little grey...
Everything old is new again
The stories that make us.During World War One, the Bank of Thrift was set up on North Terrace to teach South Australians, including children, how to save and contribute...
Days we’ll remember in South Australia: a brief history of tourism ads
The stories that make us.What better way to celebrate World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, than showcasing some film, video, and audio gems in the State Library’s collection. This year we...
How the Overland Telegraph Line changed journalism in South Australia
The stories that make usThe biggest changes brought about by the completion of the Overland Telegraph were within the newspaper industry. The ability to receive almost instantaneous news from...
‘Kookaburra sits on the telegraph wire…’
The stories that make usHow did Australian children experience the Overland Telegraph Line? The State Library has delved into the collections and discovered a story that explores the Australian...
Great Air Race of 1919: Curator talks
The stories that make us.Watch episodes of Stories from the Stacks featuring items from the Sir Ross and Keith Smith collection. Presented by Carolyn Spooner, Librarian at the State...