Barberton Museum

The history of the Barberton Museum stretches back to 1898 when the nucleus of a museum was established in town. Mr. Elkan's collection of artefacts, which included 'natural history curios and natives articles' were classified and displayed, and even then it was predicted that this collection would 'become one of the sights of the town'.On 1 February 1911 the Barberton Town Council opened the Carnegie Library. Apart from the book collection there was also an exhibition of minerals and insects. By 1952 the collection had increased to more than 500 geological and mineral specimens, a number of mounted Lowveld birds and historical photographs of Barberton. 1965 saw the opening of a new Library building in Barberton, with the museum collection housed in the basement.with the establishment of the Transvaal Provincial Museum Services in 1970, Barberton was one of the first local authorities to affiliate with the Museum Services in 1972. The themes cultural history, mining, (gold), geology, and ethnology (Swati) were allocated to the museum. At the request of the Barberton Town Council, the Museum buildings and grounds, together with the collection of artefacts was given to the Transvaal Provincial Administartion on 1 January 1979. The Barberton Museum thus became the third Provincial Museum.