Fort selwyn museumEastern Cape, South africa
Fort Selwyn museum of Grahamstown as seen from outside 1
An old military fort built in 1836 to protect Grahmstown and its water supply, and named after major Charles Jasper Selwyn who designed it and oversaw its construction.
Back then, it sat at the southern entry roads of the town — on Gunfire hill, with a good view of the surrounding landscapes.
It was manned by British artillery troops until 1862 when troops were withdrawn from the area, serving as a fort during the Anglo - Boer war, then a domestic residence and tea garden, and the location of a telegraph's mast intended to connect Grahamstown with fort Beaufort and fort Peddie.
Today, after renovations, it is part of the Albany museum that also includes the Old Provost Military prison, Observatory museum, Natural history museum, Natural Science museum and the Drodsty arch.
It consists of two single storey houses, one significantly larger than the other, situated inside a stone walled compound with a large mast near them and several old canons outside.
Open on request or booking.
What to do thereSee and know more about the area's history, picnics, go hiking or cycling in nearby areas, sight seeing — amazing views of the town from a higher vantage point.
Or visit other attractions in Grahamstown.
Best time to visitDuring spring and summer or August to February.
Location of Fort selwyn museumOn the southern end of Grahamstown — atop Gunfire hill, next to the settler's memorial monument.
It also is near the southern end of the Rhodes university campus.
How to get thereBy vehicle, cycling, walking.
There is a bus station in Grahamstown as well as a small airport in its outskirts.
References1. By Lugerda - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21458486
Back then, it sat at the southern entry roads of the town — on Gunfire hill, with a good view of the surrounding landscapes.
It was manned by British artillery troops until 1862 when troops were withdrawn from the area, serving as a fort during the Anglo - Boer war, then a domestic residence and tea garden, and the location of a telegraph's mast intended to connect Grahamstown with fort Beaufort and fort Peddie.
Today, after renovations, it is part of the Albany museum that also includes the Old Provost Military prison, Observatory museum, Natural history museum, Natural Science museum and the Drodsty arch.
It consists of two single storey houses, one significantly larger than the other, situated inside a stone walled compound with a large mast near them and several old canons outside.
Open on request or booking.
What to do thereSee and know more about the area's history, picnics, go hiking or cycling in nearby areas, sight seeing — amazing views of the town from a higher vantage point.
Or visit other attractions in Grahamstown.
Best time to visitDuring spring and summer or August to February.
Location of Fort selwyn museumOn the southern end of Grahamstown — atop Gunfire hill, next to the settler's memorial monument.
It also is near the southern end of the Rhodes university campus.
How to get thereBy vehicle, cycling, walking.
There is a bus station in Grahamstown as well as a small airport in its outskirts.
References1. By Lugerda - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21458486
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