Mitchell Gates

The Mitchell Gates were constructed via a donation made to the University of Adelaide by then Vice- Chancellor, Sir William Mitchell.[1] 

Construction began in August 1933 and ran until August 1934.[2] The gift by Sir William Mitchell was announced following the graduation ceremony of 1933 as a sign of “Great improvements [to]… the appearance of the University”.[3] The architects of the project were Woods, Bagot, Laybourne Smith and Irwin.[4] Work was divided into four sections with the footings entrusted to Goodenough and Sons, the piers to HSC Jarvis, and the actual gates to J. Todd & Sons.[5] The footpath on Frome Road also needed to be reconstructed, and was entrusted to the Corporation of Adelaide while the architects were Woods, Bagot, Laybourne Smith and Irwin.[6] The total cost of the project came to £875 19s 9d (approximately $102,595.70).[7] 

The Gates were originally designed to complement the existing streetscape at Frome Road and are of a stylised Classical design.[8] The original location of the Mitchell Gates was on Frome Road, bordering the Jubilee Oval and facing the Barr Smith Library. On the 18^th of July 1963, the University accepted a £865 bid by E.W & J. Stevens for work related to the “removal, marking and placing into storage” of the Gates.[9] From the outset of this project, it was stressed that extra care be taken during the dismantling of the structure, to enable their re-erection.[10] On the 2^nd of June 1965 the Gates were moved to Victoria Drive, opposite the University Footbridge.[11]

On the 27^th of December 1984, the Mitchell Gates were included on the Classified list in the National Trust’s register of Historic Buildings.[12] The Gates are also listed on the Australian Heritage Commission's Register of the National Estate.[13]

In 2002, the gates were removed and taken for restoration which involved the repair of all metal work, plaster columns, and granite bases; repainting; and the restoration of the University crest.[14] This renovation was possible due to a donation from the University's then Chancellor, Robert Champion de Crespigny.[15] The work was completed in 2003.[16]

In 2019, as part of the University’s Public Realm Strategy,[17]  the Mitchell Gates were removed from Victoria Drive and after a period of storage they were again renovated and finally restored to their original setting on Frome Road in 2021.[18] From their original position the gates once again “provide a stunning frame to the Barr Smith Library steps”.[19]