Martindale Hall focus of historian, archeologist research

Flinders University archeology professor Heather Burke and students will be on site as part of a major project to digitise the site's history.

Led by historian Penny Edmonds the larger project focusses on "slow digitisation" of the histories and memories relating to Martindale and the artefacts inside and outside the Hall.

"Slow digitisation is a process that expands beyond just the artefacts and the buildings as we see them, adding deeper layers of understanding," Dr Edmonds said.

"Rather that a quick digitisation to scan all archives and materials as a way to preserve the past, we seek to do this slowly and sustainably to ensure meaning is kept and the outcomes are accessible.

"This is also an exciting community and public history project."

Martindale Hall, a sandstone Georgian mansion, was build in 1879-1880 by early pastoral settlers the Bowman family and sold to the Mortlock family, who in turn bequeathed it, along with the surrounding lands and some money, to the University of Adelaide and the State Library in 1950.

Martindale Hall was later donated by the university to the state in 1985.

Martindale Farm was managed by the university until 2010 when its sale, along with that of Munduney and Moralana, helped fund the establishment of the JS Davies Institute.

Martindale Hall also served as a location in the renowned 1970s film Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Dr Edmonds said they would also like to hear from the local community.

"We are asking people to tell us their stories handed down through their own families about their connections to Martindale," she said.

"And we're looking to reconnect artefacts, film, and photographs that might have once been in the Hall but are now elsewhere.

"We want to find multiple connections between the building, its owners and their objects over time."

While the slow digitisation project continues - and the archaeological sweep forms a new part of this work - the wider South Australian community can also play a part by coming along to the Martindale Hall Archaeology and Community Heritage Week - November 7-10 - to share their connections, photographs and stories.