Spy Maps
Stories
Maps and charts
WA history
The Red Atlas details the story of how the Soviet Army used spies to conduct a global topographic mapping program from 1950 to 1990 with astonishing detail that supported a full range of military planning.
Stories
Photographs and films
WA history
Douglas "Dick" Perry helped open the first pine nursery in Gnangara. Dick cultivated the finest seedlings after examining over 250,000 from the Forest of Leiria, Portugal. The State Library collection has hundreds of his exquisite wildflower photos and slides.
1, 2, and 3
Photographs and films
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Heritage Librarian Peter Edwards discusses on ABC Radio Perth the history of the iconic Barrack-Beaufort Street bridge from its first iteration built in 1880 through to its third iteration built between 1906 – 1908.
Halls Creek Photos 1950s
Stories
Aboriginal stories
Photographs and films
Small towns & regional cities
WA history
Sam Lovell AM, is regarded as the father of Aboriginal tourism in Western Australia. His collection of photographs shows the communities who lived at the Kimberley Stations during the 1950s.
Stories
WA history
Resilience was a photographic story-telling project inspired by the courage of businesses in Northbridge and their ability to adapt in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Listen to the incredible story of sunken treasure that has made its way through the years to find a home in the State Library’s rare collections. Coins from Dutch shipwrecks, what does seagull taste like and a Gelignite Buccaneer.
Photographs and films
WA history
Five mini documentaries creatively use the State Library's heritage collection items – including letters, diaries, journals, photographs and oral recordings – to bring to life and share uniquely Western Australian stories from our State's history.
Stories
Photographs and films
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Adam Trainer joins Sam Longley on ABC Radio to discuss a recent acquisition of rock legend Bon Scott's letters to the Library collection.
Aerial landscape photography
Stories
Photographs and films
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Richard Woldendorp AM (1927-2023) was a renowned Australian photographer known for his shots of Australian landscapes that have a painterly quality to them.
WA history
The State Library of WA recently acquired two previously unseen postcards from Bon Scott to his friend, Colin Moore. Local rocker Cal Kramer of The Southern River Band visited the conservation lab to be the first member of the public to read these incredible postcards.
King Neptune reigns
Stories
Photographs and films
WA history
When King Neptune's reign came to an end in 1990, it was a sad day for his subjects and fans of the once popular theme park. Images from Atlantis Marine Park in Two Rocks from the 1980's.
The WA women shaping the orchard industry
Podcasts
WA history
Podcast revealing the hidden backstory of the Lady Williams apple - hear from cultivator and innovator Maud Williams, Maud's family, Newton Orchards Director- Nic Giblett, author Jon Doust, Gina Pickering and Professor Susan Broomhall.