Previous years

The sixth annual SA History Week saw 246 museums, history groups, libraries, galleries, archives, universities, community and cultural organisations, heritage places, churches, cemeteries, and gardens present an amazing 337 activities across the State. The successful ten day event, held from Friday 22 to Sunday 31 May 2009, highlighted South Australia’s rich and diverse history and attracted a record attendance of over 60,000 visitors.

From displays to dances to tours and talks, SA History Week 2008 proved to be the biggest event to date! The 2008 program included 288 activities, presented by 214 organisations. Around 55,000 South Australians and visitors to the State took in one or more events.

For the first time, SA History Week visitors were encouraged to discover the history and heritage behind the shop windows of Rundle Street and Rundle Mall through The Rundle History Trail.

The fourth annual SA History Week was held from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 May 2007 and included over 240 events. The Open Doors in the City program returned for a second year and encouraged South Australians to discover the treasures that lie within Adelaide’s heritage buildings, many which are not normally open to the public.

History Week 2007 won the Ruby Award for community impact for an event with a budget under $100,000. The Ruby Awards are South Australia's annual arts and cultural awards, and History Week was recognised for its success in community-building.

SA History Week 2006 was launched with a bang on Friday 19 May. A group of uniformed volunteers from the Fort Glanville Historical Association fired a small cannon on the Torrens Parade ground, re-enacting the nineteenth-century tradition of the ‘noon-day gun’.

SA History Week 2006 was held from Saturday 20 to Sunday 28 May and comprised over 270 events, including the new SA Open Heritage program.

Following the success of the inaugural year, 2005 saw SA History Week continue to grow in size and popularity. Held from 21 to 29 May, SA History Week 2005 included 160 events registered by 130 organisations around South Australia.

SA History Week began in 2004. The History Trust (now History SA) knew that South Australia had a strong community history network, and wanted a way to bring that community together. The response was overwhelming - 97 organisations from across the State participated in the program. SA History Week was born.