CP Nel Museum

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Exterior view, CP Nel Museum

The CP Nel Museum is a museum in the South African city ​​of Oudtshoorn . It is primarily concerned with the role of Oudtshoorn as the center of ostrich keeping .

Museum building

The main building of the museum was designed in 1906 by the local architect Charles Bullock as a high school for boys in the late Victorian style. Its arched sandstone facade is considered to be one of the best stone carvings in South Africa. A special feature is a 30 meter high tower in the center of the building. The auditorium of the school at that time was designed by JE Vixseboxse in 1913.

A branch of the museum is located in Le Roux Townhouse , which was built in 1909 and belonged to an "ostrich baron". It is largely in its original condition.

Since 1980 the CP Nel Museum with the main building and Le Roux Townhouse has been one of the national monuments of South Africa.

collection

The CP Nel Museum was opened in 1972 and named after Colonel Charles Paul Nel, whose collection had already been recognized as valuable by the Historical Monument Commission in 1938 and forms the basis of the exhibits. It is mainly concerned with the position of Oudtshoorn as the center of ostrich keeping. A series of dioramas trace the history of the ostriches and the influence of ostrich farms on the town of Oudtshoorn and its people. The role of the city around 1900 as the global center of ostrich feather extraction , which made many residents millionaires, is also highlighted. Other exhibits describe the cultural history and the way of life of the people from the Little Karoo , in the center of which is Oudtshoorn. There is also a replica of a pharmacy from the early 20th century.

Another part of the museum commemorates the work of former Lithuanian Jews in Oudtshoorn. A synagogue used by the Jewish community is part of the museum.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Description at rsa-overseas.com (English), accessed on August 30, 2012
  2. ↑ a b c d Official website ( Memento of August 30, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) (English)
  3. ↑ Description at kapstadt.de , accessed on August 30, 2012

Coordinates: 33 ° 35 ′ 31 ″  S , 22 ° 12 ′ 7 ″  E