City: Eastern Cape
Top Things to do in Eastern Cape
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The 10 Best History Museums in Eastern Cape, South Africa
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province. Landing place and home of the 1820 settlers, the central and eastern part of the province is the traditional home of the Xhosa people.
Restaurants in Eastern Cape
1. Steve Biko Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By evav146
We visited the museum today and were welcomed by the host of the museum /shop and she gave us lots of information. She could answer all our questions and way more and showed us the museum. Also the books in the shop were interesting and the cafe which is part of the complex is quite cozy. We were impressed by the museum and can recommend it to everyone!
2. First People Centre at The Bethesda Art Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Contemporary art created by indigenous artists at the Bethesda Arts Centre, in the remote Karoo village of Nieu Bethesda is attracting international attention. For the last twenty years Bushman descendants have been making giant tapestries and lino-prints exploring the creation mythology of the |Xam – stories recorded in the 19th Century. Now the Bethesda Arts Centre is to become the Bushman Heritage Museum, to make better known this ancient wisdom. These myths are profoundly relevant to contemporary humanity because they address, through the universal language of archetypal images, the creation of the universe. The quirky Centre, with its medieval tower, gothic doors, round river-stone courtyard, and large modern galleries full of stunning artwork is an astonishing find in the dusty off-beat dorp in the depths of the Karoo. But the quality of the work attracted the curator of the British Museum to visit from London to see and purchase a tapestry.
Reviewed By Trip37208618471 - Greater Johannesburg, South Africa
Note: This is combined with the Bushman Museum. Very worthwhile visit, and helpful staff who are involved in the art.
3. The Kowie Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Kowie Museum is in the old Railway Station Building in Station Road, just off Pascoe Crescent, Port Alfred. It covers the history of the Port Alfred area including details of the settler families, an isiXhosa collection, the old harbour, railways, shipwrecks, local insects, and many other exhibits. See the website for details.
Reviewed By 400gillianw - Gauteng, South Africa
Museums even little ones are so fascinating, Two lovely ladies with heaps of History knowledge , even found some long lost relatives. Buildings etc well maintained. Worth while a visit ...enjoy
4. Bathurst Agricultural Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
South Africa's only privately managed, touch museum. Rund regular demonstrations of ancient equipment used by South African farmers through the ages.
5. Bushman Heritage Musuem
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By 103christls
12 years ago we slept in the tower and revised it. What a nice surprise to be welcomed by a young man (forgot name) who showed us around the place and beautifully explained the history of the tapestries. We booked into their Restaurant for the evening and again got excellent service and enjoyed the Lamb Shanks.:-)
6. The Recollection Village and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By knowthegoodstuff
We were blown away by the two museums on opposite sides of the road. So much love and care has gone into this privately owned museum. On the one side are a collection of beautifully kept cars and motorcycles and on the opposite side is a little shop, some more cars, a pub, a vintage caravan that sells milkshakes, a vintage workshop and garage. Staff were very friendly and the coffee was excellent.
7. Observatory Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 47 reviews
This odd house is an eclectic melange of architectural styles, the whimsy of amateur astronomer Henry Carter Galpin. Locals would set their watches by the time on Galpin’s clock tower.
8. No 7 Castle Hill Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
This carefully restored 1827 cottage is Port Elizabeth’s oldest Settler’s house.
Reviewed By Commited_Traveller - Port Elizabeth, South Africa
I visited here recently and was pleasantly surprised. The house is well maintained and gives a glimpse of another era.
