Civic Collection
The City of Adelaide Civic Collection is the name given to a wide assortment of historic memorabilia, artefacts, and other items accumulated by successive Councils since 1853, some of which are used to decorate the corridors and meeting rooms of the Town Hall.
Many of these items were presented to the City by prominent citizens, others were given to former Mayors and Lord Mayors by visiting dignitaries or royalty, and some were purchased by the Council on account of their historical or sentimental value to the City.
The Civic Collection now consists of more than 2,800 separate items.
Among these are:
● The Queen Adelaide and Colonel Light relics.
● Most of the City's public statues, monuments and memorials.
●* A collection of silver plate, much of it given by former Mayors on retirement, among which is the Council's heritage Mayoral Chain and mace used for civic and ceremonial occasions.
● Gifts presented by Adelaide's Sister Cities around the world.
● Items of historical and general interest to the City, such as old photographs, maps and diaries acquired either by gift or purchase.
Civic Collection items may be accessed via appointment with the Curator on 8203 7448.
» Adelaide City Council Civic Collection brochure
Civic Collection Online
A range of items from the Adelaide City Council Civic Collection can be viewed by navigating to our search page. At this dedicated Civic Collection site you can search, select and display an image of a Civic Collection item which will also give you a brief description of detail, the item's date, medium and dimensions.
The Civic Collection On-line is part of an on-going display program presented by the Adelaide City Council Archives.
Collection Listings
Main List
The following list contains all Civic Collection items held by the Adelaide City Council:
» More information on Civic Collection listings (PDF, 260Kb)
Items on Public Display
The following list contains Civic Collection items which are displayed in the City of Adelaide:
» Civic Collection item list (PDF, 46Kb)
Colonel William Light's Artefacts
The following list contains Civic Collection items relating to Colonel William Light. A majority of these items are available for viewing at the Colonel Light Room in the Adelaide Town Hall.
Town Hall Tours conducted by volunteer guides make items displayed in the Town Hall accessible to visitors. Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 8203 7203 or city@adelaidecitycouncil.com for tour information.
» More information on Colonel William Light's artefacts (PDF, 521Kb)
Queen Adelaide
For more information about Adelaide's namesake, Queen Adelaide, please download the following brochure:
» The Life and Times of Queen Adelaide (PDF, 412Kb)