The East London Museum
The East London Museum features displays and collections including extensive beadwork, local cultural history, German legionnaires and agriculturalists, mammals, reptiles, birds, fossils, invertebrates, Maritime history, fish and shells.
Exhibit highlights include the world’s oldest human trace fossil footprints, left by a human 124,000 years ago and discovered in the 1960’s at Nahoon Point; the type specimen of the Coelacanth, a fish believed to have become extinct some 80 million years ago and the discovery of which resulted in national acclaim for the Museum; Kannemeyria simocephalus, the large fossil reptile skull and skeleton, excavated near Tarkastad in 1934 and the Hofmeyr skull which dates back 36 000 years. There is also a live beehive which has been in existence since 1959 and Dolos and River Harbour exhibits.
The museum is considered one of the best natural and cultural history museums in South Africa and is a must-see for visitors and locals alike. Exhibitions are divided into two sections, Natural History and Human History. The Natural History area is located on the ground level and the Human History section on the first floor.
Guided Tours are available on prior arrangement and all groups are requested to make bookings in advance to avoid disappointment. The East London Museum is open Monday to Thursday, 09:00 to 16:30 and on Fridays, 09:00 to 16:00 and Saturdays, 09:00 – 13:00. The Museum is closed on Sundays & Public Holidays.
Facilities at East London Museum include a designated disabled parking and wheelchair access to both levels of the museum and toilets. Telephone: 043 743 0686. Fax: 043 743 3127. Email: derekh@elmuseum.za.org.
Address: 319 Oxford Street, East London (top of Oxford Street near Frere Hospital and Guild Theatre).
Gately House
Gately House is part of the East London Museum but is situated at a separate address. This Victorian House Museum was originally built in 1876 by Mr John Gately and was home to his family up until 1966 and the passing of Margaret, his last remaining child. At this point, Margaret generously donated the contents of the house to the East London Museum and eventually, the house was preserved and retained as East London’s Town House. resulting in something rather unique in that almost everything displayed in the house belongs to the original owners.
Admission is free to Gately House but donations are welcome. Open hours are Wednesday and Thursdays, 08:00 to 16:30 and on Sundays, 11:00 to 16:00. Telephone: 043 722 2141.
Address: 1 Park Gates Road, East London. Access is also available through the East London Zoo.
For further information visit The East London Museum’s website
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