Santos Museum of Economic Botany
The lovingly restored Santos Museum of Economic Botany is one the Garden's treasures. Reopened to the public in 2009 after a year-long restoration, the last purpose built colonial museum in the world continues to delight and educate visitors as it has done for 130 years!
On display inside are touring exhibitions, and a permanent collection. It features items which were part of the original Museum display, some of them 140 years old, as well as select modern pieces.
The term 'Economic' Botany has an outmoded ring, but it is as relevant today as it was to the young British colony of South Australia in 1879. It celebrates the 'value' that the botanical world brings to our society and the importance of plants in our way of life; past, present and future. Consider the food we eat, the medicines that heal us and the clothes we wear.
The building is on the Register of the National Estate, Register of State Heritage Items, Register of the City of Adelaide Heritage Items and classified by the National Trust.
otherwise 10am - 4pm (Wed - Sun)
Wheelchair access
Much of the collection on display in 1881 has been reinstated - included hundreds of objects thought lost and/or packed away in storage for the last 50 to 60 years.
The permanent collection - a layering of objects - some acquired as early as 1865 and continuing until the present - are on display in original display cases. Highlights include 19th century papier mache models of fruit and fungi, aboriginal plant products, tapa cloths, timbers and fibres. An exhibition space designed by Khai Liew and a comissioned artwork "Grove" by Fiona Hall.