Abbey After Dark: 'I am Spartacus'
For most people, their knowledge of Roman slave revolts, start and finish with the historical figure Spartacus. What most people don’t realise, was that his revolt was only one of three major Servile Wars during the Roman Republic.
Reconstructing Roman slavery is an incomplete jigsaw. Most slaves lived and died without a trace. Archaeological finds, epigraphic and demographic data, written primary sources, legal texts and Imperial law codes all provide information. By weaving this evidence together, we build a multi-dimensional picture of how slavery underpinned Roman society and the bloody histories of the three Servile Wars which are stories of savagery, betrayal, torture and crucifixions.
Your evening begins with live entertainment and a delicious charcuterie selection, setting the atmosphere for a night of storytelling and exploration. After your grazing experience, take a twilight wander through the Museum’s galleries, where centuries of history come alive in the glow of the evening.
Ticketing Inclusions:
- 40 min talk
- Evening through the museum with exclusive viewing of Reserve Collection artefacts in a temporary display
- Gift bag
- Cheese and Wine evening
Pricing: $45pp + Booking Fee (recommended for ages 16yrs+)
Friends Presentation: 'Goths and Vandals' by John Moorhead
The Abbey Museum Friends invite you to their Presentation hosted by Professor John Moorhead, on Saturday, 15th August at the Abbey Hall.
Synopsis
‘Goths and Vandals’ – These Germanic groups, who settled in the territory of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth and sixth centuries, have long had a hold on the popular imagination; even today, a Gothic subculture flourishes and we speak of acts of vandalism. This presentation will consider the origins of these peoples, their impact in Italy, Spain, and Africa, and the fall of the states they established there, before discussing their long-term significance in the history of those regions.
Bio
John Moorhead is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Queensland. He has published on both the Goths (Theoderic in Italy) and Vandals (Victor of Vita History of the Vandal Persecution); most recently he has written on the history of the Eucharist. Among other things, he has walked the Camino to Santiago across France and Spain.
Includes a light afternoon tea.
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: The Abbey Hall (located behind the Abbey Museum), 31 The Abbey Place, Caboolture
Tickets: $20 Guest | $10 Friends Member
+ Booking Fee
Home Front Festival at Wolston Farmhouse
Step back into the 1940s right where history happened.
For one unforgettable day, Wolston Farmhouse becomes Brisbane’s wartime home front. The big band sound drifts across the paddocks, swing dancers take the floor, vintage frocks and victory rolls are everywhere you look and one of Brisbane’s oldest surviving farmhouses comes alive with the stories, style and community spirit of the 1940s. This is no ordinary festival setting. During the Second World War, the farmland surrounding Wolston was requisitioned for military use, and thousands of American troops were stationed in the area. The Home Front Festival brings that remarkable chapter back to life, right where it happened.
On the day
Live 1940s music and swing dancing, join in or just tap along
Living history displays and costumed interpreters
Vintage fashion and historic vehicles
Heritage demonstrations and hands-on activities
Children’s entertainment and activities for the whole family
A commemorative Victory in the Pacific Day ceremony, marking 81 years since the end of the Second World War in the Pacific
Make a day of it
Pack a picnic rug and claim a patch of grass in the historic grounds, or leave lunch to us a food truck, ice cream and barista coffee will be on site all day. And if you’ve got a 1940s outfit hiding in the wardrobe? This is its moment. Period dress is warmly encouraged (but never required).
Presented by: National Trust of Australia (Queensland) in partnership with Camp Columbia Heritage Association
Democracy Manifest: the historic underbelly of transport, crime and design in Fortitude Valley -WALKING TOUR
Step into one of Brisbane’s most unexpected moments of cultural history. Led by historian Robert Allen, Queensland Walks and Brisbane Living Heritage, this guided walking tour examines the real‑world setting of the 1991 “Democracy Manifest” arrest through the lens of transport and urban design. What began as a police incident became enduring cultural folklore, shaped as much by place and movement networks as by people.
Walking through Fortitude Valley, the tour explores how streets, service lanes, building frontages and transport corridors create spaces of interaction, control and visibility. For transport professionals, it offers insight into how everyday movement networks and supporting infrastructure influence behaviour, public encounters, and the stories that shape our cities. Come learn about some the Valley’s schemers, dreamers, rogues and quiet achievers and the places they created.
The Democracy Manifest walking tour is a collaborative project by Queensland Walks, Brisbane Living Heritage and Robert Allen, Historian and walking tour host. Democracy Manifest tour has been researched by Robert Allen, Professional historian and author. We are incredibly grateful to Robert for his research and guidance for this signature walk featured at Open House Brisbane and the Transport Professionals Association Conference, 2026.
The People's Crusade: the roots of European antisemitism
In 1096, mobs moving through the Rhineland toward Jerusalem killed thousands of Jewish people in the first mass anti-Jewish violence in European history. It's a precedent many historians link to the antisemitism that culminated in the Holocaust. Historian and educator Dr Alan J Barrie re-examines the evidence, asking hard questions about Peter the Hermit's real role in the massacres, and challenges the accepted narrative of one of medieval history's most consequential and contested episodes.
Tickets: $8 concession or $10 adult (includes lecture and museum entry).
Abbey History Festival
Celebrate 40 years of the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology with a Journey Through the Ages at the Abbey History Festival at Abbeystowe. Presented by the award-winning team behind the Abbey Medieval Festival, this immersive weekend experience brings history to life from Ancient Rome to the 20th Century through reenactments, workshops, performances, music, lectures, markets, and hands-on family activities.
Wander through living history pockets of time from the Nordic Realm to Pemberley Promenade and No Man’s Land, enjoy medieval jigs and Japanese Awa-Odori dancing in the Music Hall, explore the bustling Abbeystowe Market, and experience Abbeystowe favourites including the Stag Inn, Abbey Archery, Birds of Prey and Kids Dig It! Kingdom.
Perfect for families, history lovers, and costume enthusiasts alike, the Abbey History Festival invites you to step through the gates this September for an intimate and interactive celebration of the past.
Abbey Medieval Festival 2026.
The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology is incredibly proud to share that the Abbey Medieval Festival has been awarded GOLD in Festivals & Events at the Australian Tourism Awards, recognising the event as the best in Australia in its category.
Following our Queensland Tourism Industry Council – QTIC Tourism Awards win, it was an honour to represent Queensland and the City of Moreton Bay on the national stage.
This achievement reflects the dedication of an extraordinary community who help bring the Abbey Medieval Festival to life each year.
2026 Redlands Coast Museum Open Day
Join us from 9:00am – 1:00pm, Saturday 30 May 2026 at Redlands Coast Museum for a vibrant day of discovery and fun.
When you arrive, step inside our beautifully renovated reception area and browse our brand new gift shop, filled with locally made products, unique finds, and handcrafted bells, hearts and poppies created by our onsite blacksmiths.
Explore interactive displays brought to life by our passionate volunteers as they share the real stories and remarkable history of the Redlands Coast. Be sure to visit our newest Immigration display, highlighting personal journeys, treasured keepsakes and the cultures that have helped shape our community.
Enhance your visit with a guided tour, featuring engaging insights, live demonstrations and a touch of musical fun at the pianola.
Kids can explore the Kids' Corner with nature-inspired craft activities, take part in the 'RED' picture scavenger hunt, discover magical tiny fairy doors hidden throughout the Museum, enjoy old-fashioned games, and step into the old-world lolly shop filled with handmade treats.
Finish the day with a delicious lunch or snack from the Radio Room Servery — the perfect way to round out a fantastic family outing.
Backstage Pass at Queensland State Archives
BRISBANE LIVING HERITAGE and QUEENSLAND STATE ARCHIVES
bring you our first Backstage Pass Event for 2026. Backstage Pass events are designed to offer a unique opportunity to visit behind the scenes of the amazing Queensland State Archives. The tour will include a curated experience of the exhibition, Printed & Bound. You can find more details about the exhibition here:
Printed & Bound: uncover the art of keeping Queensland history
We’re often told to never judge a book by its cover – but this exhibition invites you to do exactly that.
Printed & Bound uncovers the hidden art behind Queensland’s history, revealed through the records books that were created to hold it. From finely crafted registers to enduring ledgers, these archival bindings show remarkable intricacy, ingenuity and mastery.
Queensland State Archives is the state’s public archive, connecting Queenslanders with the histories of their families, local communities and the state by making significant government records available and accessible. Drawn from this collection, Printed & Bound invites visitors to look closely at the structures that bind our written past and discover a hidden art and our state’s richly layered history.
Also some additional info for new customers:
How to get to the Queensland State Archives
Car
Queensland State Archives is located at 435 Compton Road, Runcorn. Free parking is available on site between 9am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday, and every second Saturday of the month.
Train
The nearest train station is Fruitgrove Station, on Beenleigh Road, between Nursery Road and Persse Road, Runcorn. The station car park entry is on the Nectarine Street side, near the junction of Mango and Plum Streets. Please check the train timetables before planning your journey.
Walking directions from Fruitgrove Station
The walk from Fruitgrove Station to the State Archives building takes approximately 45 minutes (3.5 kilometres).
Bus
Brisbane City Council Bus route no. 150 from Queen St Bus Station stops on the corner of Gowan and Compton Roads, approximately 900 metres from QSA.
Brisbane City Council Bus route no. 152 from Garden City stops at Eisenhower Street, directly opposite Queensland State Archives (check TransLink for the current timetable).
Heritage Artisan Faire Workshops
As part of AdventureFest 2026, Redlands Coast Museum presents The Heritage Artisan Faire Workshops — a celebration of traditional skills and modern creativity.
Across ten inspiring days, discover the crafts that helped shape the Redlands Coast.
Learn hands-on techniques from skilled local artisans and dedicated Museum volunteer
Special dances for the Australian Heritage Festival 2
Historic Milestones: the changing nature of dance
Step into the rich tapestry of Australian history through the power of dance. Join us for a captivating workshop that traces the evolution of dance from Brisbane’s early penal settlement through to the early 1900s.
Discover how dance has been a vibrant expression of societal shifts—shaped by fashion, philosophical movements, and cultural influences brought by migration. Explore the connection between changing lives and changing rhythms.
All dances taught on the night. No partner or experience required. Costumes admired but not required.
When: Friday, 8 May at 7:30pm
Where: Farmers Hall, 30 Main Street, Samford Village, Qld
Cost: $4.00 (thanks to Moreton Bay Council's Healthy & Active Programme.
More information and booking:
The Planting at Woodford Folk Festival
The Planting 2026
The Planting, a much-loved weekend for cultivating connection and caring for the land at Woodfordia.
Set for the long weekend, Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd of May, this gathering combines hands on working bees, delicious food and drinks, informative talks and an evening programme of inspiring artists and musicians.
Our talks will be from experts in citizen science, regeneration and community lead projects and will include practical skills you can take back home to your own communities and gardens.
Special dances for the Australian Heritage Festival
The 2026 Australian Heritage Festival theme, Change, invites communities across the country to reflect on how history has shaped us, and how we, in turn, continue to shape history. We have created two events to explore this theme.
Change Your Partners!
Dancing in the 19th century was all about changing partners! Social interaction was at the heart of dancing. In the early 1800s it was considered improper to dance with the same partner more than once in an evening! As dance styles changed, the roles of partners changed too.
Join us for an immersive experience as we dance through one hundred years of Brisbane’s dance history. We will teach the dances and no experience is necessary.
When: Friday, 24 April at 7:30pm
Where: Hills District Community Centre, 291 Dawson Parade, Arana Hills, Qld
Cost: $4.00 (thanks to Moreton Bay Council's Healthy & Active Programme)
Heritage talks: Queensland cemeteries
Join us for our first Heritage Talk of 2026 where we will hear from a panel of experts and passionate friends of Queensland’s many storied and historical cemeteries.
Cemeteries exist not only for the dead but also as a space for the living. Across Queensland, they are now valued not only as a resting and remembering place, but also as places of historical significance and civic engagement that continue to connect communities in meaningful ways.
This event runs in conjunction with Dearly Departed: death in life, State Library's exhibition that encourages reflection on mortality through history, art and personal stories. Audiences are welcome to visit the exhibition before or after the event to engage more deeply with its themes and artworks.
About Heritage talks:
Our Heritage Talks connect audiences to our extraordinary collections by inviting speakers to share their expertise and perspectives on topics relating to Queensland history.
Abbey After Dark: Medieval Dress Accessories
Need some inspiration for your costume to the highly-anticipated Abbey Medieval Festival?
Get an up-close look at the workmanship & reproduction of upper class items, with an EXCLUSIVE white glove experience!
Your evening begins with live entertainment and a delicious antipasto selection, setting the perfect atmosphere for a night of storytelling and exploration. After your grazing experience, take a twilight wander through the Museum’s galleries, where centuries of history come alive in the glow of the evening.
Medieval clothing was nothing without its finishing touches! Take a journey with Author, Independent Researcher and History Enthusiast Rosalie Gilbert into the world of medieval dress accessories and discover behind the scenes information on how these amazing items were crafted! Learn about the techniques used in the Middle Ages by highly skilled craftsmen and reproduced by today’s artisans.
A rare “white glove experience” will allow you to carefully handle some original artifacts from The Gilbert Collection to examine the workmanship of the medieval world. High end reproductions will also be on display.
Ticketing Inclusions:
- 40 min talk
- Evening through the museum with a special first-look at artefacts from the Reserve Collection.
- Exclusive white glove experience
- Gift bag
- Cheese and Wine evening
Recommended ages 16+
Abbey Trivia Night - Calling all Trivia Tragics
Come along and enjoy a night of challenging trivia questions! Join Trivia Master Libby for a night of fun competition on Saturday, 28th March, and test your knowledge on a variety of topics; from history and the arts, to people and places!
Cost: $10 per person (includes supper) | Primary School aged children are FREE
Time: 6pm check-in for a 6:30pm start
Indulgences (answer purchases): limit of 2 per round of questions. Will be paid for at the end of the evening.
Raffle: tickets will be sold on the night at $2 each or 3 for $5.
All funds raised throughout the night will go towards the conservation of a Samian bowl that is believed to have been made by in the style of Maiiaus of Trier during the time of the Roman Empire, c. 170-240AD.
QLD BALLET present MESSA DA REQUIEM at Glasshouse Theatre
Where music, movement, and mortality collide
Verdi’s monumental Messa da Requiem comes alive in Christian Spuck’s breathtaking staging, fusing voices, orchestra, and 36 dancers into a living sculpture of sound and movement.
From the whispered prayers to the thunderous Dies Irae, this work explores life, death, and the mystery beyond in a collision of opera, dance, and ritual. Featuring over 110 singers and Queensland Symphony Orchestra musicians, this unforgettable staging is both epic and intimate. A once-in-a-generation experience that transcends boundaries.
Research Reveals 2026: Queensland history symposium
Join us 6 & 7 March for Research Reveals, a two-day event where our 2025 State Library Fellows present the outcomes of their research projects, revealing little-known histories and insights drawn from State Library’s collections.
This year’s line up offers revelations on:
- Refugee stories and experiences of settling in Queensland.
- The history of pearling communities in the Torres Strait.
- The practice of of cross-dressing uncovered across State Library collections.
- Businesswomen who defied pre-1970s rules requiring male guarantors for business loans.
- Queensland’s sporting history through significant sites on the Queensland Heritage Register.
- Bringing historical home interior décor to life using AI and collection material.
- Insights from a fourth-generation Showperson into communities behind the EKKA, Queensland’s largest annual event.
- Filipino migrants in Queensland, explored through festivals, music industry participation and everyday life.
This event is perfect for history enthusiasts, researchers, and anyone curious about Queensland’s past.
Research Reveals is a free event, but spaces are limited!
Please book separate tickets for the Friday evening and Saturday sessions.
TWILIGHT at QLD MARITIME MUSEUM
Twilight at the Queensland Maritime Museum
24 February 2026 | 5:30pm–7:30pm
Brisbane Living Heritage invites you to the first Twilight Event of 2026—an evening of heritage, stories, collaboration, and community at the Queensland Maritime Museum. Set against the backdrop of the historic South Brisbane Dry Dock and towering HMAS Diamantina, this special event is also the official launch of BLH’s 2026 Program.
What this event celebrates
This Twilight gathering brings together our members, partners, and friends to reveal a year of new collaborations and experiences designed to connect people, place, and heritage in meaningful ways.
At this event, we will launch:
2026 Collaborations & Events
Our Twilight Series continues to expand, offering rare glimpses into spaces and stories not usually accessible to the public. This event is your chance to hear the first announcements, meet collaborating organisations, and be part of shaping the year ahead.
What to Expect
Your evening includes:
Exclusive access to the Queensland Maritime Museum after hours
Bar run by QMM
Light Refreshments from Cuisine on Cue
A short presentation on the 2026 Program
Introductions to our collaborating partners
Opportunities to explore museum highlights and chat with heritage leaders
Member and guest networking within a relaxed riverside setting
Who Should Attend
BLH members and volunteers
Partner organisations
Local heritage groups and museums
Community organisations
Anyone with a love of Brisbane’s history, culture, and creative heritage
Accessibility & Important Information
The Maritime Museum has a combination of outdoor surfaces and heritage infrastructure; comfortable footwear is recommended.
Some areas have limited accessibility due to heritage constraints.
Parking available nearby; public transport recommended (South Bank station & ferry terminals).
Why be part of this Twilight?
This is the premiere event of the year—an opportunity to help shape the future of community heritage in Brisbane, connect with like-minded organisations, and celebrate the work our members do to keep stories alive.
Heritage talks: Queensland tastes
Our latest Heritage talks event serves up a slice of Queensland’s culinary history, as we consider the multicultural influence on our palate.
Beyond Queensland’s insatiable love of pineapple and proud claim to the iconic lamington, our culinary heritage tells a deeper story: one of migration and multicultural diversity.
Join speakers Dr Toni Risson, Dr Aaron Teo, and Dr Eun-ji Amy Kim in conversation with Jenny Woodward, as they explore how our distinctly Queensland taste connects us to the past, shapes who we are today, and invites us to savour the stories, memories, and cultures that feed us all.
In addition, enjoy a drop-in collection experience in the Marica Sourris and James C. Sourris AM White Gloves Room during the following times:
9.45–10.15 am
11.45 am – 12.15 pm
Villa Street Revealed
Villa Street, Annerley has been the focus of a two year project of Annerley-Stephens History Group (ASHG). A “living history” of Villa Street will be launched on Saturday 30 August 2025 at the Yeronga Community Centre. The event commences at 10.30 and goes through until 1.00 pm.
Villa Street is a rich area of Brisbane history from pre-colonial times to the present. Housing dating from the 1880s has been occupied by a wide cross-section of society including writer Jessica Anderson (whose Stories from the Warm Zone reflect 1920s Villa Street), the Cilento family of medicos together with politicians, artists, dancers, actors, teachers, newsagents, trades and business people, and dairymen in the 1800s. The back fences of half the Villa Street houses join Yeronga Memorial Park which was a tournament ground on Yuggera country as well as being a major WW2 camp for American and other troops and also a natural wild playground for the neighbourhood kids through all eras.
Our research process has included many interviews with present and past residents who have contributed their stories and family photographs. The launch will be a very special event as many people who grew up in Villa Street are reunited and share their stories with each other and the current residents.
Twilight at the Princess Theatre with Brisbane Living Heritage
Join us for an exclusive evening of heritage and connection!
Brisbane Living Heritage invites our Members and Friends to a special Twilight at The Princess Theatre. Enjoy a private tour of this beautifully restored heritage venue and discover its stories behind the scenes.
This is more than just a tour – it’s an opportunity to meet fellow heritage enthusiasts, connect with the wider BLH community, and explore how you can be part of preserving Brisbane’s living heritage.
Whether you’re a long-time supporter or curious about becoming a member, we’d love to welcome you for an evening of conversation, history, and discovery.
Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere with light nibbles provided, and a cash bar will be available throughout the evening for those who’d like to purchase a drink.
Stories in Stone 2025
Cemetery Heritage and History Conference, Brisbane
Our old cemeteries are incredible repositories of history that provide a direct touchstone to the stories, narratives and cultures that shaped our past and present.
The Stories in Stone 2025 conference will share a range of fascinating insights into Queensland's historical cemeteries. Our highly knowledgeable presenters include cemetery historians, researchers, and volunteers; industry figures; musicians; and social media creators, every one of them passionate about preserving and exploring our memorial heritage.
Their perspectives will cover innovative headstone repair schemes; new forms of interpretation; challenges in cemetery management; heritage and community; and cemeteries as research sources.
The setting for this unique not-for-profit event is the beautiful and heritage-listed Hamilton Town Hall. This conference follows on from the successful ‘Stories in Stone’ event held at Brisbane's Commissariat Store in 2024 and is organised by the Stories in Stone committee in partnership with Brisbane Living Heritage.
presented by Stories in Stone in partnership with Brisbane Living Heritage.
Abbey After Dark: Jane Austen & Regency Dance
This year, we celebrate the remarkable 250th anniversary of Jane’s birth, a milestone that is being honoured around the world.
Dr Heather Blasdale-Clarke leads us into the life of one of English literature’s most cherished figures. Step into the world of Jane Austen and explore why dancing was so important in her life and in her novels.
Jane Austen’s works often reflect the social customs and cultural practices of her time, and dance plays a significant role in her novels. The Regency era was characterized by formal social gatherings, balls, and dances, which were important venues for courtship and social interaction.
Join us at Abbey After Dark in this intimate evening at the Museum and see the charm of the Museum and collections illuminated at night, as we celebrate 250 years of Jane Austen.
Entry includes:
Presentation by Dr Heather Clarke
Selection of Cheeses served with Wine (or juice)
Museum entry after dark (valued at $15)
Regency Gift (valued at $10)