From our files: A brief history of East London Museum

The East London Museum was established in 1921 when the Mayor of East London, Captain Neale, called a meeting on July 19 to discuss the establishment of a museum in the city. A Museum Society was established. Dr. R.J. Rattray, headmaster of Selborne College and a trained botanist, was appointed as President of the Society. The Society collected money and specimens and ran a one-room museum in temporary quarters above the X.L. Tea Rooms in Oxford Street. In 1925 the Society was granted land on the Selborne Estate by the East London Municipality. The museum was officially opened on 26 September 1931. In December of that year, Miss Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer was appointed as Curator of the museum (the name of this position was changed to Director in 1945). The museum remained a one-woman museum (except for cleaners and a gardener) until 1953, when a typist-bookkeeper was appointed.
By the end of the Second World War in 1945, the museum was filled with collections and displays. A new site was obtained and the nucleus of the present museum was officially opened to the public on 28 November 1950. Further extensions have subsequently been added in 1963, 1967, 1982 and 2005.

Highlights of the museum's activities:
The excavation of a large fossil reptile skull and skeleton: Kannemeyeria Simocephalus formerly known as Kannemeyeria Wilsonii near Tarkastad between 1934 and 1936;
The discovery of the coelancanth in 1938;
Trace-fossil footprints found in the sandstone rock-face near Nahoon Point, in 1964.

Core holdings:
Natural history collections, which includes Mammalia, Malacology, Reptilia, Ornithology, Pisces and Botany.
Cultural and human history collections, which includes beadwork, German Settlers, British Settlers, The Southern Nguni and the San-Bushman.
Maritime history, which includes the exploration voyages, shipwrecks, salvaging and East London Harbour.

Useful information:
Current Museum Manager: Mr. Mcebisi Magadla
Assistant Museum Manager: Mrs. Geraldine Morcom
Telephone no. : 27 043 7430686
Faximile no. : 27 043 7433127
Physical address:
319 Oxford Street
Southernwood
EAST LONDON

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 9h00 to 16h30
Saturdays: 10h00 to 13h00
Sunday: 10h00 to 15h00
Closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday