Today is the last day of the school holidays, and many kids will be off to school tomorrow morning. One of the clever ides for keeping them busy during the holidays was produced by the staff at the Historic Museum at 7 Castle Hill. These pantin string puppets were reproduced from historic designs. Cut out, put together, tie the strings, and the puppet dances crazily, much to the delight of this little chap!And by the way, today is the day…
A whale skeleton at the Bayworld Museum. This used to be one of my favourite places to visit, and take our kids, as well as visiting neices and nephews. Unfortunately their shortsighted pricing policy now makes it a less attractive idea, and I know of lots of would-be visitors who no longer go there as a result. We went there recently to introduce our 4 year old grandson to the delights to be found there, but were told we had…
The Oceanarium, with its dolphin shows, has been one of the icons associated with Port Elizabeth for many years. It has had its ups and downs, but an upgrade is planned, and it always offers an interesting time to tourists, as well as useful research on and help for marine species.
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,…
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…
This is an exhibit in the fascinating Red Location museum. It shows anti apartheid posters which were circulated when the restrictions were at their worst, anyone found with one of these would have been in for a very bad time! The books on the little tables are transcripts of the proceedings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with the intention of bringing into the open the atrocities committed during the apartheid era. They make very…
Part of Richmond Hill was originally known as "The Location for Native Strangers" and was set aside in 1855 for the Khoi San and Mfengu workers who mostly worked on loading and unloading the ships at the fast growing Port. (Yup, I’m afraid the British Colonial Government established Apartheid long before the Nats actually gave it a name…..)The London Missionary Society was granted the land, and set up a Chapel for these workers. They also allocated plots and rough houses…
Ok, this just wouldn't be a city daily blog if I didn't show you this morning's newspaper headline.....I mean that is quite an achievement for a town whose nickname was, until recently, the ghost on the coast!In the 50s and 60s PE developed as the hub of the SA motor industry (very punny),but in the late 70s many of the motor manufacturers and parts manufactures relocated, and the city went through a terrible economic depression. When we came here to…