Every now and then I find a couple of photos on the archives that I haven’t posted and today is no different. The Observatory museum in Grahamstown is a fascinating place and contains the only Victorian Camera Obscura in the Southern Hemisphere. The building was bought by Henry Galpin in 1859 and extensive changes were made to it, including the addition of the camera obscura. Galpin operated his watchmaker and jeweller’s shop from the building and usually used to camera obscura to look for his friend Dr William G Atherstone around town. By the 1970’s the building was falling apart before it was purchased by De Beers Consolidated Mines, restored and opened as a museum.
The Observatory Museum’s clock tower
The back view of the building
Beautiful building and interesting bit of history.
What an awesome building. Love all the balconies. Sure glad it's been restored.
It looks like it's been excellently cared for and renovated since the revitalization began.