Bridal gowns displayed at Mannum for SA History Festival
A show at the Mannum Institute features matrimonial fashion and accessories through the years.
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As part of the South Australian History Festival this May, the river town of Mannum is proudly contributing to the statewide celebration of stories, heritage, and community spirit.
Tucked inside the Mannum Institute on Randell Street, a unique exhibition invites visitors to step back in time through silk, lace and golden wedding bands.
Hosted by the Mannum and District History Association, the bridal gown display offers a rare glimpse into more than a century of wedding traditions, told through the evolution of bridal fashion.
On May 13, a group of 14 women from the Inman Valley Quilters saw the display listed in the South Australia History Festival magazine and contacted the association.
Chairperson Christine Denman warmly arranged a special tour with vice president Max and committee member Trish, offering insight into the display’s origins and the stories behind the gowns.
Featuring dresses dating as far back as 1910, the exhibition traces a timeline of changing styles, from the simplicity of post-war designs to the elegance of 1980s silhouettes and the fine beadwork of more modern gowns.
But these dresses are more than fashion – they carry personal stories of love, family and tradition passed through generations.
Each gown is carefully displayed on a mannequin, complete with veils, photographs, gold wedding bands and original bridal decorations.
“Some of these dresses were donated by locals; others I discovered in second-hand shops,” Ms Denman said.
“You can ask as many questions as you like – we’re still uncovering the stories behind some of them.”
One especially touching story tied to the display began with a single sepia-toned wedding photo, originally given by the op shop on Randell Street to a local resident, who then passed it on to Ms Denman to include in the display and, hopefully, to help identify the mystery couple.
With no names attached, she first shared the photo on the Mannum History Association Facebook page: “Does anybody recognize this couple? Late 1800s to 1920s – found in the op shop on Randell Street.”
After receiving no responses, she later shared the same photo and question on the Unidentified Photos Australia group page.
A keen-eyed commenter noticed a striking resemblance between the bride and a woman in a 1930s wedding photo on Ancestry.
After further research through a German ancestry site, Ms Denman was able to confirm that the bride was Frieda Egel, born in 1911, who married Montague Roy Coombe on April 22, 1933.
The couple lived near Pellaring Flat, about 10-15 kilometres along Purnong Road from Mannum.
Though no records of children have been found, rediscovering Frieda’s identity nearly a century later added a small but meaningful triumph to the exhibition, reminding visitors that even an anonymous photo from a second-hand shop could find its way back into the living story of a community.
“It’s a story worth sharing,” Ms Denman said.
“The couple once lived in this district, and their story has been revived through some recent exposure.
“I’m currently looking into the bride’s parents and trying to locate a book on ancestry to cross-reference.
“I also plan to speak with Frieda’s niece, who lives just outside Mannum.
“My goal is to write a detailed story about it.”
Visitors described the exhibition as nostalgic, emotional, and unexpectedly moving.
One woman from the Inman Valley Quilters pointed to a 1930s gown and said: “That’s my favorite – I love that elegant style.”
Another early visitor was brought to tears when she recognised a dress that looked just like one worn by her grandmother.
More than a display of beautiful dresses, this exhibition is a heartfelt tribute to love, community, and memory.
For a small town like Mannum, it’s a reminder that history doesn’t just live in museums; it lives in attics, photo albums, and even second-hand shops.
A wedding dress, after all, is never just a dress.
The display is officially registered with the History Trust of South Australia, and entry is by donation.
It’s not too late to visit – it will be open again next Monday, May 26 from 11am to 12pm at the Mannum Institute.
And if those times don’t suit, Ms Denman said the time could be flexible: “Give me a call, and I’ll arrange it for you.”
