In a special event for the South Australia History Festival, the Aldinga Library will host Willunga Slate: from quarry to community.

Willunga National Trust researchers Paddy O’Toole and Mark Staniforth will give the talk on Saturday 14 May at 10.30am.

They will explore the fascinating history of the Willunga slate quarries since slate deposits were first discovered by European settlers in 1840. 

The Willunga quarry was the only source of roofing slate in Australia for most of the 19th century. 

Paddy and Mark will introduce the slate products that were developed from the quarry; markets and talk about modes of transport for the quarried slate and the hidden slate heritage that still exists in Willunga and other places today.

Register to attend this free event via Eventbrite.

This is just one of the fascinating events offered as part of the History Festival by the Willunga National Trust.

Others include a tour of the Willunga slate quarry; a celebration bus tour exploring how slate remains part of the local landscape; a Port Willunga heritage walk; and the wicked ways of Willunga at the Courthouse Museum. 

There is a small charge for some events to cover costs; full details can be found and bookings can be made on the SA History Festival website.