LOCAL history enthusiasts have been invited to attend a walking tour celebrating a Riverland irrigation trust’s importance to its community.
Renmark Irrigation Trust will this month run tours of its building – located on Murray Avenue – as part of South Australian History Festival.
Tour guide Geoff Bull said the tour would highlight American architectural characteristics of the building, which was constructed by the Chaffey brothers in 1888.
“Over the last year I’ve been researching information about the building in particular,” Mr Bull said.
“We thought we would make use of that this year, to let people know how it’s been used over the years, and a more detailed history of it.
“We’ve been looking at the architectural heritage, (because) it’s got these North American design features.
“It’s got a mixture of North American and Australian heritage.”
Mr Bull said the building had a number of previous occupants, and some features that have “remained a mystery”.
“People actually lived in the basement of the building, and three different banks have had their premises there,” he said.
“It had a passive cooling system, which we’re not sure exactly how it worked.
“We’re trying to do some research as to where that system came from, and how it worked.
“There are a few mysteries associated with the building, and it has changed over time, so we’ll talk about those changes as well.”
Bookings for the Renmark Irrigation Trust History Festival tours are recommended, and can be completed by visiting the website (www.discoverrenmark.com.au/whats-on/upcoming-events-markets/event/101-sa-history-month-irrigation-office-history-tours).
Further information is available by contacting the Trust on 8586 6911.