This project aims to bring to light the history of the Mount Barker area via QR Codes positioned in the landscape and townscape, where they are easily accessible to pedestrians. The project is being sponsored by the Mount Barker District Council and Business Mount Barker.

In the 1890s, Mount Barker miller John Dunn and local doctor Leonard Watkins Bickle donated adjacent parcels of land close to the town centre to be used for public recreation. The donated land has provide green space for the people of Mount Barker ever since. On the initiative of members of our Branch, interpretive signage acknowledging this history has been erected on Mount Barker’s Linear trail.

John Dunn (1802-1894) was Mount Barker’s greatest benefactor. Following the success of his milling business, he shared his success with the town in a remarkable series of charitable donations and bequests. Unfortunately his gravesite has fallen into disrepair and is in urgent need of restoration. Our members have launched an appeal for this purpose, under the auspices of National Trust SA. We hope that the restoration of the grave will help to perpetuate the memory of Dunn’s generous support for the town and its people. Donations can be made from this site.

In 2025, our Branch member Graham Crack donated an archive of historical photographs to the Local History Centre at the Mount Barker Library. The collection consists of 630 photographs, mostly from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Graham’s collection has been digitised and annotated by Local History Centre director Sheila Jones. The collection is available online.

In March 2025, Mount Barker NTSA Branch members Bob and Robyn Upton donated an original nineteenth-century oil portrait of Sir Samuel Davenport to the Burnside NTSA Branch. Bob and Robyn’s generous donation means that the portrait can now be viewed at Beaumont House, Sir Samuel’s home of many years, which is under the guardianship of the Burnside Branch. The portrait was painted approximately 150 years ago by prominent Adelaide artist John Alfred Upton, and has been in the possession of the Upton family ever since.  Bob Upton is the painter’s great-nephew.  As a result of Bob and Robyn’s donation the painting is nowon display to the public for the first time.