Murray Bridge's Round House is turning 150 and you're invited
A special event will be held at the Round House, built in 1876, next week.
The Murray Bridge community is invited to celebrate the Round House's 150th anniversary next Friday, October 9.
The Round House will be open to the public from 10am with heritage experiences, family-friendly activities, storytelling and refreshments available throughout the morning.
Located off Bridge Street, the Round House is one of the town's oldest surviving buildings.
Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley said the 150th anniversary was a chance to commemorate the people who had helped make the Round House an important part of the community.
"Reaching 150 years is a remarkable milestone much more than a a historic building," he said.
"It is a place that connects us with the people, stories and experiences that have shaped Murray Bridge over generations."
The story of Murray Bridge's Round House began in 1864 when it was proposed that a bridge be built across the River Murray.
Construction of the bridge began in 1873 and the Round House was constructed shortly after in 1876, serving as the residence of Henry Parker, the superintendent overseeing the construction of the bridge.
Following the bridge's completion in 1879, the Round House was transformed into a community building that was used as the town's first school, church, post office and council chambers.
By 1884, the Round House was owned by the Railway Commissioner and was used as a private residence for senior officers of the now defunct South Australia Railways organisation.
In 1988, the historic Round House was purchased by the Rural City of Murray Bridge.
The building was listed as a State Heritage building two years later in 1990.
The Round House remained mostly untouched until 2020, when volunteers helped restore the building, turning it into an interactive museum of Murray Bridge's past.
Now the Round House is available to the public, with guided and self-guided tours on offer.
