Observatory museumEastern Cape, South africa
The Observatory museum (blue) of Grahamstown as seen from outside1
A house museum that was once a Victorian era shop and home, named after a hobbyist designed observatory at its top and built in the 19th century by Henry Carter Galpin — a successful watchmaker and jeweler, with an interest in astronomy, music, optics and natural history.
It has four stories, with the third being an addition to the rooftop, and the fourth being of added structures such as the observatory's tower and a clock said to be a smaller version of the 1883 one built for the royal courts of justice of London.
On the first floor is the shop with some of the items that were on offer, as well as a display about the first diamond found in South Africa — said to be identified here in 1867 and named Eureka.
The second floor was the living quarters and holds much of the original furniture and equipment, with its previous inhabitants portrayed by mannequins dressed in fashion of that time.
The observatory still works, although it now provides views of the city from a slightly elevated vantage point.
The museum is one of several satellites under the Albany museums, including the Provost prison, Drodsty arch, Fort Selwyn and the Old Priest's house.
What to do thereSee or know more about Grahamstown's history, past architecture, technology, equipment as well as the first diamond found in South Africa.
Best time to visitAny time of the year.
Location of Observatory museumIn Grahamstown's city centre near the town hall.
How to get thereBy bus, cycling, walking, vehicle, taxi.
There is a bus station nearby as well as a small airport just outside the city.
References1. By Ossewa - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61150900
It has four stories, with the third being an addition to the rooftop, and the fourth being of added structures such as the observatory's tower and a clock said to be a smaller version of the 1883 one built for the royal courts of justice of London.
On the first floor is the shop with some of the items that were on offer, as well as a display about the first diamond found in South Africa — said to be identified here in 1867 and named Eureka.
The second floor was the living quarters and holds much of the original furniture and equipment, with its previous inhabitants portrayed by mannequins dressed in fashion of that time.
The observatory still works, although it now provides views of the city from a slightly elevated vantage point.
The museum is one of several satellites under the Albany museums, including the Provost prison, Drodsty arch, Fort Selwyn and the Old Priest's house.
What to do thereSee or know more about Grahamstown's history, past architecture, technology, equipment as well as the first diamond found in South Africa.
Best time to visitAny time of the year.
Location of Observatory museumIn Grahamstown's city centre near the town hall.
How to get thereBy bus, cycling, walking, vehicle, taxi.
There is a bus station nearby as well as a small airport just outside the city.
References1. By Ossewa - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61150900
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