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KKimberley’s McGregor Museum is based in the old Kimberley sanatorium building in the upmarket suburb of Belgravia, but it has a number of satellite venues spread around the 'city of diamonds'.
It is also a major Northern Cape research institute specialising in natural and cultural history. When you look at a general map of Kimberley and surrounds, you’ll see markings for places that include the Duggan-Cronin Gallery, Rudd House, Dunluce House, the Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre, the Magersfontein battlefield site, the Pioneers of Aviation Museum and, further afield, the Wonderwerk Cave near Kuruman and a museum at the Mokala National Park.
The displays at the old sanatorium are eclectic and highly interesting if your bent is general knowledge. You will glean all kinds of snippets on your ramblings downstairs and upstairs in this massive old building. Some examples:
- When Jan van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape in 1652, there were only 500-million people living in the world
- In 1800, the international average life expectancy was 25 years
- Africa’s first mine was established 110 000 years ago in Swaziland
- Rock art was a ‘creative explosion’ that happened 40 000 years ago and spread around the world
- The earliest-known chicken found in Africa dates back to 700 AD
Your explorations of the central McGregor Museum will take you from cave dwellers to the dawn of humanity, ancient tools and hand-axes, the Stone Age, the arrival of Europeans in South Africa, conflict over minerals, Olive Schreiner, Chief Galeshewe (a local hero) and right through to the Siege of Kimberley.
Designed to pique your interest in southern African history, the exhibits range from various details on travellers and explorers through to the heady diamond field days of Kimberley and its huge role during the Second South African War (also known as the Anglo-Boer War) period.
Kimberley is so replete with historical keepsakes and artefacts that much of what you see in this building comes from the personal collections of the older families whose roots lie deep in the city.
Did You Know?
Travel tips & planning info
Who to contact
McGregor Museum
Tel: +27 (0)53 839 2700
5 Egerton Road, Belgravia, Kimberley
How to get here
The central museum is in Atlas Street in the Kimberley suburb of Belgravia.
Best time to visit
Autumn (April-May) and Spring (September-October) are the best times to visit Kimberley, which experiences boiling hot summers (December to March) and very cold winter nights (June to August).
Things to do
Why not do a day drive to the diamond diggings at Barkly West, or visit the evocative Magersfontein battle site south of Kimberley? Central to the entire city and its beginnings is, of course, the Kimberley Big Hole. There are a list of interesting tours on the Kimberley website below.
What to pack
Pack according to the season you are coming in and remember to bring a hat and sunblock, even in winter.
Where to stay
There are a number of good hotels and B&Bs in the Belgravia area, which would situate you close to the central museum and other historical Kimberley sites.
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