heritage

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PE Tramways Building

Another shameful example of urban decay in Port Elizabeth. The old PE Tramways building was once a hive of activity, first as a tram and bus depot and then as an ice rink. It was then used for other businesses and now stands unused and derelict.It was announced with great fanfare that this historic landmark, was to be developed into an entertainment area, with the river in the foreground being turned into a small lake. Work was due to start…

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04/11/2008
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Heritage

Last week the National Heritage Symposium was held in Port Elizabeth, in the old Drill Hall. The room was full of people who are passionate about preserving the heritage of the country, and the discussions were really interesting. Although, to be honest, I left with the uncomfortable feeling that much the same gets said year after year, and that the absent key players and grey areas mean that the same thing will be said again next year, with few tangible…

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08/09/2008
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skylines #3 Old Erica and the bay

This old school building is one of PEs landmarks. Whenever you want to give directions in this area, you just have to say "do you know the Old Erica Building" and 90% of the time, the answer will be yes. It was built in 1903, and housed the Erica School for girls. When they outgrew it and moved across Albany Road to their new home in Mount Croix, it served many purposes, and currently houses the Art School of the…

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29/06/2008
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Delightful old cottage

This quaint little historic cottage is in Richmond Hill. (In fact it is a couple of houses away from the burnt out one we showed you recently, but this one is fortunately better cared for.)

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21/06/2008
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Burnt Out

Such a shame... another historic cottage in Port Elizabeth, neglected by the owner and rented out to Nigerian drug dealers, has burned down. GRRRRRRRR. Another little bit of our heritage needlessly lost. I featured this house in my "Now and Then" series a while ago, you can see how it looked recently and in the 1880s.

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22/04/2008
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April Theme Day: Water

Next time you turn on a tap and clean drinking water flows out, spare a thought for those who have to pump theirs out of the ground! This old water pump is in the courtyard at 7 Castle Hill, the oldest residence in Port Elizabeth still in existence, now a fascinating Historical Museum.I am sure there will be lots of interesting interpretaions on this month's theme, Here are links to help you pay these participants a visit.Adelaide, Australia by Gordon,…

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01/04/2008
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Trinity House

We'll come back to 7 Castle Hill, but today we wanted to share pictures of another very old house in Central which has been maintained in its original state.This is Trinity House, and it is about 30 years newer than 7 Castle Hill, having been built around 1858. It was recently bought by Amanda and Karl Wellmann, who have done a wonderful job of lovingly restoring it, and turning it into a guesthouse.Here you can see one of the bedrooms,…

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28/03/2008
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Courtyard 7 Castle Hill

A peek inside the delightful cobble stoned courtyard of the historic museum at 7 Castle Hill, the oldest home in PE still in existence. It has been beautifully preserved. It was built in the 1820s by Rev Francis McLelland, who was the Minister of the St Marys Church down the hill in market square. The old water pump and coal bin are still there. To the right are the old stables. It is well worth a visit, to get an…

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27/03/2008
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Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria still watches over parts of her former empire, with her "We are not amused look". This Sicilian marble statue of her, is situated at the entrance to the Main Library, on the North-Western corner of Market Square. It was erected and unveiled in 1903 two years after her death.

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24/03/2008