Help to preserve the history of Plettenberg Bay
The Van Plettenberg Historical Society is appealing to the Plett community to contact them at info@pletthistory.org.
They are keen to receive anecdotes and digital photographs for inclusion and preservation on their website and will gladly arrange to scan your photographs, maps and anecdotes for this purpose. The website is frequently accessed and we receive and respond to a steady flow of requests for information about Plett.
Many people in Plett are unaware of the existence of the Van Plettenberg Historical Society and the important role it’s played in exploring and preserving the history of Plettenberg Bay. It was established over 40 years ago in 1980 by a group of interested residents. The commitment of the members of the society, and formalised in the constitution, includes the collection and collation of information about Plett and the area; collection and preservation of documents; preservation of buildings and artefacts of historical interest; distribution to the wider public of the information and knowledge gathered; and identification of places of interest by means of plaques.
Patricia Storrar was writing her wonderful books at the time and addressed society in its early days, as did Margaret Parks, the Duminy family, the Jerling family and many others.
A non-profit organization, the Van Plettenberg Historical Society has hosted some 200 talks over the last 40 years. Subjects have ranged from the local history, and pre-history, from the last Ice Age to the comparatively recent past and include historical events with links to South Africa, which took place further afield.
Society is still in existence.
For a small annual subscription that covers administration, members receive notification of forthcoming talks. Our talks are open to members, their guests and the wider public with a modest entrance fee to cover the hiring of a venue and sound equipment. Talks are held in various locations in Plettenberg Bay.
A few of the recent topics covered are listed below and can be read on our website, www.pletthistory.org.
- Palaeontology, Pinnacle point and hunter-gatherer archaeology: Professor Curtis Marean
- The 100th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Mendi: Brenda Shepherd.
- The mysterious disappearance of Rosiland Ballingall: Paul Scheepers
- The fishing industry of Plettenberg Bay: Karin Kastern
- Guy Butler – South African poet, academic and playwright: David Butler
- The failed silkworm industry of Gouna: Rayno Sciocatti
- Who planted the beacon on Beacon Island: Andrew Duminy
- New ideas about old caves: Prof Judith Sealey
- Approaches to the preservation of the Timber Shed: Len Raymond
- Conservation of our Tsitsikamma Rivers: Geoff McIlleron
- Fisticuffs – a short history of the boxing glove: Dr Clive Noble
- Sophy Gray – remarkable self-taught 19th-century architect and wife of Bishop Robert Gray.
She designed and supervised the building of a number of stone churches throughout the Cape and surrounding areas including St Peters in Plettenberg Bay: Natie de Swardt.
In addition to holding these talks, the Historical Society has been directly involved in the preservation of the Timber Shed, the Harker graves and the navigation beacons. They were directly involved in the saving of the buildings which now house The Old House Shop and Nguni Restaurant. The old Post Office remains in its original position and The Old Rectory was transformed into a beautiful boutique hotel whilst retaining many of the original features of one of our oldest buildings.