Museum Metadata Exchange

Names

Name PrimaryHistorical Relics Collection

IDs

ID LocalMM 10

ID Urihttp://migration.historysa.com.au/collections/historical-relics-collection

Descriptions

Brief DescriptionA collection of nearly 1,400 objects related to the foundation and settlement of the British colony of South Australia.

Full DescriptionThe collection covers a broad range of subjects including: early migrants in South Australia, the HMS Buffalo, surveying, the foundation of Adelaide, colonial government, exploration, mining, industry, early military history, royal memorabilia, numismatics and weapons. The collection features significant objects such as Light's plan of Adelaide, the Stanhope Press (the first printing press in South Australia) and the Tinline Salver, among many other state treasures.

SignificanceThe Historical Relics Collection is one of the most extensive collections of artefacts from the early years of the British colony of South Australia. It provides an invaluable record of early settlers, explorers and the colonial government. The collection is reported to have started in 1836 in connection to the formation of the South Australian Company in England. First archival documents and then 'relics' were donated to Mechanical Institutes and other organisations which then formed the South Australian Institute. The collection was retained by the Boards of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery until 1940 when it was moved to the Art Gallery as it became a separate institution. It was at that time that a register was compiled and the collection was first referred to as the 'Historical Relics'. The collection was transferred from the Art Gallery of South Australia in 1984 to the History Trust of South Australia, now named History SA. The Migration Museum and South Australian Maritime Museum now manage the Historical Relics on behalf of History SA.

AccessA Migration Museum collection. Access to collection items held in Museum Stores is by appointment only.

Subjects

scotArtefacts; Colonies; Free settlers; Maritime history; Mining; Money; Surveying (Geography); Weapons

localBritish Settlement; Colonial Government; Exploration; Maritime history; Military History; Mining; South Australia; Surveying

pontCoins; Documents; Maps; Mining equipment; Money; Surveying equipment; Weapons

aptColonies; Currency; Exploration; Migrants; Souvenirs; Surveying; Weapons

person_orgMigration Museum, South Australia

Coverage Spatial

TextSouth Australia; Australia

Coverage Temporal

From1836

To1986

Related Collections

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Dates

Date Record Updated2012-12-12 16:46

Date Created in MME2011-03-22 15:34