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.
The young lady who left home in 1877
The stories that make usSleuthing at the State Library using newspaper clippings, three books, inscriptions, newspaper archives, and censuses, pieces together the intriguing story of a run-away in 1877...
A visit from Father Christmas
Christmas at the Mortlock this year is inspired by the designs of Czechoslovakian paper artist Vojtěch Kubašta (b.1914 Vienna, d.1992 Prague). Kubašta was one of...
Real or fake: Lord Nelson's letter written in 1798
The stories that make usFor a long time, a large brown envelope with a crayoned inscription lay in the back of the special collection’s stacks. The inscription read, ‘Nelson...
Don't touch that dial! Children’s radio club badges and pins
The stories that make usIt might seem strange, but sometimes historical items are literally picked up off the ground. This collection of children’s radio club badges and pins was...
Captured Flowers
The capture of South Australia’s wildflowers and plants in paintings and sketches began early in the colony’s history. Flower painting was considered an acceptable genteel...
Make your own Spitfire and Bomber squadron
The stories that make usWe’ve recreated this striking cut-out model builder booklet so you can build your own bomber squadron base and experience what it would have been like...
The tiger and the taxidermists
The stories that make usDid you know that this photograph taken in the basement of the Mortlock Wing of the State Library shows one of the largest tigers ever...
How our State Library began as a trunk full of donated books
The stories that make usThe story of the founding of the State Library begins in the 1830s in London, where Robert Gouger was lobbying the British Government to found...
![Adelaide ‘Black Lives Matter’ Protest, King William Street [SLSA: PRG 1763/1/9]](/sites/default/files/styles/tile_native_1x/public/2021-08/adelaide-black-lives-matter-prg-1763-1-9.jpg?itok=raAAmlee)
Capturing the present for future generations
The stories that make us“A good photograph is knowing where to stand” Ansel Adams Over the past few years the State Library of South Australia has been adding to...
A legal constraint: the case of the corset
In 1904 there were two makers of WB corsets in South Australia. The English firm William Pretty and Sons made the WB Correct Form Corset...
Which character will you be?
Raphael Tuck Face MasksHere are some fun masks that are a bit more jovial than the medical ones we’ve all been using lately. The history behind the masks...
Whaling Voyage Journal from 1830s - a significant find
The stories that make usLittle did our research librarians know that a suggested change to an item description on our Digital Collections website would lead to such a significant...
A family musical heritage
The stories that make usWhen researching material for our exhibition Beyond the stage : aspects of performing arts in South Australia, 1914–1936 connections were made between the South Australia...
Constables before the court
The stories that make usThe Cathedral robbed by policemen! The Cathedral Hotel that is... View the following extract as reported in The Advertiser, Thursday 17 October 1918, page 7...
Diamonds Lost and Recovered
The stories that make usA busy day for the publican of the SA Clubhouse Hotel at Port Adelaide in 1926. ' SAVED FROM DEATH RESCUED IN PORT RIVER Diamonds...
Apinya's letter written in Pitjantjatjara language
The stories that make usEric Api (Apinya) is celebrated as being the first to write a letter in Pitjantjatjara. He attended the Ernabella school where all students learnt to...
![Bob, the railway dog' at Port Augusta [B 6422]](/sites/default/files/styles/tile_native_1x/public/2021-07/B-6422.jpeg?itok=MWEyj72b)
‘STOP ME NOT, BUT LET ME JOG; FOR I AM BOB, THE DRIVER’S DOG’
The stories that make usIn 1882 Bob, a scruffy brown German collie dog covered with thick shaggy hair, was born in Macclesfield, South Australia. He travelled the railways of...
Arthur Studio Collection
The stories that make usOne of the State Library’s most significant photographic collections came from ‘ Arthur and Son studio’ which operated in Mount Gambier from 1904 to 1989...
A borrowed book returned to the State Library over 100 years later
The stories that make usThis book has a fascinating history. It was borrowed from the Adelaide Circulating Library more than 100 years ago by a young Lawrence Bragg, who...
![Park Lodge Apartments on South Terrace, Adelaide [SLSA BRG 346/29/149/6]](/sites/default/files/styles/tile_native_1x/public/2021-05/park-lodge-apartments-south-terrace-BRG-346-29-149-6.jpg?itok=kOB7ox_I)
At the archival coalface: John S. Chappel collection
The stories that make usOne of the projects on the go in the State Library Archival Collections team is centred around the John S. Chappel Collection (BRG 346). The...