National Trust of South Australia - Hahndorf Branch - Adelaide Hills

Additional Information regarding the Hahndorf Branch of the NTSA and its activities is available from the following:

Hahndorf Branch NTSA

Location: 20 Main Street, Hahndorf, South Australia 5245

Welcome to this site which is dedicated to the activities, trials and tribulations of the Hahndorf Branch of the National Trust of South Australia (NTSA). It is hoped that the contents of this site will be of considerable use to those with an interest in the heritage and history of Hahndorf, or with an interest in heritage values in general.

Hahndorf Academy - cnr Main Street and Balhannah Road (2001)The Hahndorf Branch, National Trust of S.A. was established in 1976 to research and lobby for planning controls to conserve the village of Hahndorf. John Storey was elected first chairman.

If you are at all interested in the History and Heritage of our town, then why not consider joining the Hahndorf NTSA Branch. You would be most welcome. Please contact the Secretary who will give you full details.

The Current Hahndorf Branch Committee

Schneider Rothe Barn, Victoria StreetAt the AGM held August 26, 2023, 3.00pm the following were elected:

CHAIRPERSON: Annette Oien - mobile: 0451 030 357; email: [email protected]
VICE CHAIR: Dieter Siefert
SECRETARY: Sharon Pippos - 0477 288 011 : email: [email protected]
TREASURER: Lyndell Davidge - phone: (08) 8388 7495; email: [email protected]
COMMITTEE: Anni Luur Fox, Margaret Brook, Sue Byham, Deb Painter, Rose Turner, Ute Schwartz, Julie White, Tony Finnis,

Hahndorf

Knife Shop and Storison Gallery (2001).An easy 25 minute drive along the South Eastern Freeway from Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, the old village of Hahndorf has weathered many conflicts since settlement by East German religious refugees in 1839. This act of faith was in itself a drama of epic proportions, now well documented in family and institutional histories of the district and the Lutheran Church.

The first German village was established at Klemzig, South Australia in 1838. By the 1880's it was demolished, leaving Hahndorf as the oldest surviving Germanic settlement in the nation. It is also Australia's oldest planned migrant town.

Hahndorf is still graced with the best examples of German craftsmanship and construction in Australia, largely due to changes in public attitudes to the cultural value of such old buildings since the 1970's. Unfortunately, the rare and very early structures that survive are still in danger. Professionals tend to devalue them as being uncraftsmanlike which, in our view, is their very best attribute if we are to gain understanding of what it was like to be an early settler of scant financial means. For those willing to look, the village itself tells a story of human struggles in a foreign land and gradual assimilation into an Australian way of life through inter-reaction between cultures.

- Anni Luur Fox

SA History Festival Walk - annually in May

Take up the challenge of walking in the footsteps of the pioneers and join us on this historic walk, 38 years since the first re-enactment.

PRE-REGISTER to walk or register on the day - $ price set each year (children under 16 free)

PRE-BOOK BUS to your starting point - $ price set each year

For registration, starting locations, times, maps and other details go to NTSA website: nationaltrust.org.au/event/hahndorf-pioneer-womens-walk

Beaumont HouseYour family and friends may like to join the festivities as the walkers arrive at Beaumont House, 631 Glynburn Rd Beaumont from 12 noon.