A rich history

The Mortlock Wing's journey is as fascinating as the treasures it holds. Construction began in 1866, yet the project spanned over 18 years due to political indecision, design revisions, and the challenge of an underground stream that made the foundations unstable.

Originally known as the Jervois Wing, it first opened on 18 December 1884, as a hub for the Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery. With an initial collection of 23,000 books and a dedicated staff of three, this iconic building was the foundation of a visionary cultural precinct, planned to include three grand structures.

The foundation stone was finally laid on November 7, 1879, by Sir William Jervois, and the building was completed by Brown and Thompson at a cost of £43,897 - that's about $1.38 million in 2025.

Exhibition bays

On the ground floor of the Chamber are several exhibition bays that showcase the richness and breadth of State Library collections, with historical and contemporary materials used to illustrate particular themes. 

Comprising nearly 1,000 items, the exhibition bay themes highlight areas of particular relevance to South Australia and largely reflect State Library collection strengths providing an entry into those collections.