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 18th 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 2nd of June 1965 the Gates were moved to Victoria Drive, opposite the University Footbridge.[11]
On the 27th 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]
[1] University of Adelaide, 2002. Heritage gates to receive facelift, viewed on 2 July 2024, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news361.html>
[2] Registrar’s Department, correspondence with Woods, Bagot, Laybourne-Smith and Irwin regarding the Sir William Mitchell gate on Frome Road. Adelaide University Archives, Series 200, docket 1934/65.
[3] "Conferring of Degrees" News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954) 13 December 1933 viewed on 5 July 2024 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128479943
[4] Registrar’s Department correspondence, Series 200, docket 1934/65
[5] Registrar’s Department correspondence, Series 200, docket 1934/65
[6] Registrar’s Department correspondence, Series 200, docket 1934/65
[7] Registrar’s Department correspondence, Series 200, docket 1934/65. The conversation of project costs to today’s money were done using the inflation calculator available via <https://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualPreDecimal.html>, accessed 5 July 2024
[8] Registrar’s Department, correspondence regarding the re-erection of the Mitchell Gates and later the National Trust classification of Gates and fence. Adelaide University Archives, 1965/2572.
[9] Registrar’s Department , correspondence with E.W and J Stevens regarding removal of Mitchell Gates. Adelaide University Archives, 1963/2552.
[10] Registrar’s Department correspondence, 1963/2552.
[11] Registrar’s Department correspondence, 1965/2572.
[12] Registrar’s Department correspondence, 1965/2572.
[13] University of Adelaide, 2002.
[14] University of Adelaide, 2002.
[15] University of Adelaide, 2002.
[16] University of Adelaide, 2002.
[17] University of Adelaide, 2021. Mitchell Gate relocation , viewed on 11 July 2024, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/infrastructure/projects/completed-projects/mitchell-gate-relocation>
[18] University of Adelaide, 2021
[19] University of Adelaide, 2021