Spotlight on schools’ histories during International Museum Week
Date: 5 May 2019
18 May is international Museum Day and this year the theme is ‘Museums as Cultural Hubs; the Future of Tradition’.
Locally, the Centre for Conservation Education is shining the spotlight on schools’ museums. Sigi Howes, Head of the Education Museum at the Centre for Conservation Education in Wynberg, said it is surprising how many schools have their own museums, ranging from a single display cabinet to a custom-built museum building. Most schools, even those in disadvantaged areas, are proud of their heritage and tradition.
The following school museums are open to the public for International Museum Week:
- Rondebosch Boys’ High and Wynberg Boys’ High School will be open to the public on International Museum Day on Saturday 18 May from 09:00-12:00.
- The museum at Bishops is unfortunately not open on Saturdays, but visitors are welcome by appointment.
- The SACS Museum will be open on Thursday 16 May from 09:00-15:00
- The Education Museum in Wynberg will welcome the public, especially families, on Saturday 18 May from 09:00-12:00.
Entrance to all these museums is free during International Museum Week.
The Centre for Conservation Education will also offer two other programmes for schools that week. On 13 and 14 May 2019, the Grade 5 to 7 learners with their teachers can learn about six of the most exciting objects in their collection like the ‘chair of death’, e-tablets over time, and the ‘monster’ with the roving eyes.
The Centre also has a workshop for schools that were active in the struggle for democracy and who do not yet have a museum or archive documenting this. Booking is essential to attend these programmes.
Schools and the public are encouraged to visit any museum on Saturday, 18 May 2019: whether it is their nearest provincial museum or one of the schools mentioned above. Contact the Centre for Conservation Education for a full list of participating school museums.
Phone Lynne at (021) 762-1622 or email admin@centreforconservation.co.za for more information or to make a booking.
