Overview
    Identifiers
    Alternate Site Codes
    NMA/NAMM/0001
    Inventory Number
    2931CC694
    Site Name
    Old House Museum, 31 St Andrew's Street, Durban
    Record Administration
    Author
    sahrisprojectmanager
    Last modified
    Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 21:26
    Monuments & Memorials Recordings
    Identifiers
    Inventory Reference
    Recording date
    Primary?
    Off
    Site Recording Admin Comments
    -The original house was demolished and a replica of it built, embodying the features of the building as it stood around 1849. - The displays in the museum reflect aspects of life in an early 19th century middle class settler home, however not all artefacts are displayed in their authentic setting.Purpose:Date Unveiled: Designer: Builder: In 1840 Donald Moodle bought the land, and in 1849 he sold it to John Goodricke who built the house.Person/Institution Commemorated: Henry Ramsay, Alice Victoria Collins and Charlotte (Lottie) Rebecca RobinsonRecorder Name: Nyameka Dlawu
    Classifications
    Description

    The purpose of The Old House Museum is to commemorate the early Natal settlers. - In 1840 Donald Moodle bought the land, in 1849 he sold it to John Goodricke who built the house. - In 1850 Goodricke sold the house to Mr George Henry Wirsing, who laid out the garden that amplifies the house. - In 1858 George Robinson, editor and proprietor of Natal Mercury bought the house from Wirsing. - Robinson's son, John Robinson became the Natal prime minister and the house hosted many of Durban's prominent colonist families. - The members of Natal Branch of South African Society and others interested begun collecting items of historical importance, particularly artefacts relating to the early Natal settlers - Natal society tried to influence the Durban City Council in the proposal of the museum. - Mr G. Churton Collins whose ancestor was Sir John Robinson offered the house to the Natal Society. - In 1940 August 23, the Durban City Council accepted the Old House property and it was riddled with rats and insects. - In 1952 7th July, the City Council passed a resolution to erect a replica of the shell of the house. -The original house was demolished and a replica of it built, embodying the features of the building as it stood around 1849. - The Old House Museum which is administed by the Local History Museum was opened to the public on the 12th of June 1954.

    Contains Animal figures?
    No
    Contains Human figures?
    No
    Construction Date Comment
    1849
    Construction Materials
    Bricks, metal poles, zink for the roof, wood
    Pedestal Material
    Bricks
    Event Commemorated
    The commemoration stone was laid on 28th May 1940 by Miss Carol Collins on the occasion of the Natal settlers centenary celebrations.
    Inscriptions
    The commemoration stone was laid on 28th May 1940 by Miss Carol Collins on the occasion of the Natal settlers centenary celebrations. 1849 - 1949
      Location
      Location
      Mapping
      -29.863135, 31.017215
      KwaZulu-Natal
      • eThekwini
      Directions to Site
      Coming from the VW center you drive in a straight in South direction for about 9 km where you will get to an area, where you will find local retail shops you will then turn right in the main road and in about 2 km the memorial will be situated on your right hand side between shops .
      Access details
      Public Access
      Media
      Images uploaded directly to Site
      Images uploaded to linked Site Recordings