Civic collection

The City of Adelaide Civic Collection is a wide assortment of historic memorabilia, artefacts, and other items accumulated by successive Councils since 1853.

The collection is displayed in the corridors and meeting rooms of the Town Hall. Others, such as statues, memorials and monuments are situated around the city and North Adelaide.

Many of the items were presented to the City by prominent citizens, while others were given to former Mayors and Lord Mayors by visiting dignitaries or royalty. Some were purchased by Council because of their historical or sentimental value to Adelaide.

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 from around the world.
• Items of historical and general interest to the City, such as old photographs, maps and diaries acquired.
• A Victoria Cross (VC) medal won by Reginald Roy Inwood during the First World War. Roy won the VC for his actions at the Battle for the Menin Road. After the War he returned home and worked for the City of Adelaide for 27 years.

The City of Adelaide Archives Search Room is open to the public by appointment.