Migration Museum, Adelaide facts for kids

The Migration Museum in Adelaide, South Australia, is a special place that tells the amazing stories of people who have moved to South Australia from all over the world. It's like a big history book that helps us understand how different cultures have shaped the state. This museum is one of three run by the History Trust of South Australia.

Quick facts for kids
Migration Museum

The museum in 2025
Established	23 November 1986; 38 years ago (1986-11-23)
Location	82 Kintore Avenue, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Type	Culture museum
Visitors	183,936 (2015–16)

Discovering the Museum's History

The Migration Museum first opened its doors on November 23, 1986. It was started by the state government in 1983. This makes it the oldest museum of its kind in all of Australia!

The museum's main goal is to celebrate and promote cultural diversity. This means they want everyone to understand and appreciate the many different backgrounds, traditions, and ways of life that people bring to South Australia. They look at how different groups, ages, and regions have contributed to the state's story.

Where the Museum Is Located

You can find the museum on Kintore Avenue in Adelaide. It's right next to other important places like the State Library of South Australia and the South Australian Museum. The buildings themselves are made of old bluestone.

Before it was a museum, this site had a long history. From 1850 to 1918, it was a place called a "destitute asylum." This was a building where people who were very poor or had no home could find shelter and help. Even before that, the land was home to the "Native School." This school aimed to educate Aboriginal children.

What You Can See and Do

The Migration Museum offers lots of fun and educational activities for everyone. They have special programs for school groups, public events, and family-friendly fun days.

Special Memorials and Plaques

• Memorial Wall: At the museum, there is a special memorial wall. It honors the many different communities who have found a safe home in Australia.
• Settlement Square: This area shows how many families and individuals arrived in South Australia to start new lives.
• Reconciliation Plaque: There is also a plaque that reminds visitors that the land the museum is built on was originally the home of the Kaurna people. This helps us remember the history of the land before European settlement.

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