Walk, sketch, discover: A month of local heritage

As part of the South Australian History Festival throughout May, the community is invited to step beyond the familiar and rediscover the stories that shape our streets.

From grand façades to humble cottages, the City’s built landscape is more than bricks and mortar, it’s a living archive of the people, places and moments that have defined the area over generations.

Each veranda, laneway and shopfront carries a story, waiting to be told.

Mayor Robert Bria says the festival is a chance to reconnect with the City’s rich cultural heritage in a meaningful and accessible way.

“Our architecture tells the story of who we are. It reflects the lives, ambitions and character of the people who built and shaped this community.”

“Through the History Festival, we’re inviting people to look a little closer, to appreciate not just what our buildings are, but what they represent.”

Throughout May, a curated program of experiences will bring these stories to life—but get in quick these programs will book fast!

Lost & Local: The Pubs of Norwood Payneham & St Peters (Exhibition)

A photographic journey through the city’s iconic pubs, both those still standing and those long gone, offering a glimpse into local social history.

DIY House History Workshop

A hands-on session showing residents how to research the history of their own property using council records and online tools.

Drawing Historic Norwood, St Peters and Kensington

Creative workshops led by artist Deborah Smalley, inviting participants to sketch and interpret local heritage buildings in a relaxed, outdoor setting.

Cultural Heritage Centre Research Room

An ongoing opportunity to explore house, family and local history, with resources and support available during Library opening hours.

It’s an invitation to slow down and see the familiar differently.

Wander beyond your usual café stop, take a turn down a side street and uncover the layers of history embedded in the everyday.

Because while a meal or a moment may draw you in, it’s the stories behind the streets that give a place its lasting character.

Discover the full program and start exploring this May, visit: History Festival