- founded in 1812 as a military outpost
- thrived in the 1820's with Settler families
- used to be the Cape's second largest city in its heyday
- became the seat of a bishopric in 1852
- the only session of the Cape Parliament to be held outside Cape Town was here in 1864
- positioned at the nexus of the coast and the hinterland
- boasts a unique atmosphere as a result of its historical heritage
- superb buildings reflect the town's long and varied history and are carefully preserved
- over 40 churches reflect the variety of cultures which coexist in the City
- home to Rhodes University and several fine schools
- broad tree-lined streets are a feature
Rhodes University
- founded at the turn of the century on a 50000 pound grant
- grown from 60 students (first enrolment) to over 4000
- University residences house many of the students
- world-renowned research institutes associated with the University include
- JLB Smith Institute if Ichthyology
- International Library of African Music
- Institute for the Study of English in Africa
- Albany Museum
- Rhodes University Museum
The Cathedral of St.
Michael and St. George
- probably the town's most prominent landmark
- seat of the Bishop of Grahamstown
- has the tallest spire in South Africa
- took 128 years to build from 1824 to 1952
- full ring of eight bells can be heard every Sunday throughout the town
- array of memorial tablets from frontier days
- imposing pulpit and organ
Observatory Museum
- built by HC Galpin, a watchmaker by trade
- Galpin dabbled in astronomy, constructing a cupola above his shop to house his telescope
and his camera obscura
- a second tower houses a turret clock, the pendulum of which swings in the rooms two
storeys below
- was extensively renovated in 1983
- an intriguing, almost eccentric, museum under the auspices of the Albany Museum
1820 Settlers National
Monument
- found in the Wild Flower Reserve above the Botanical Gardens
- magnificent view of the city and countryside
- completed in 1974
- home to the Grahamstown Foundation (responsible for organising the annual Standard Bank
National Arts Festival)
- houses a theatre, lecture halls, art gallery, restaurant and conference facilities
Provost Prison
- found in the Botanical Gardens area
- carefully restored
- a small group of 19th century military stones can be found nearby
Methodist
Commemoration Church
- built in 1850
- found at the top of Bathurst Street
- Gothic Revival facade and ten stained-glass windows
- its' statue, a winged figure of Peace, is dedicated to the men of the Albany District
who died in the Anglo-Boer War (1899 to 1902)
- the memorial's inscription was written by Rudyard Kipling
The City Hall
- was a memorial tower commemorating the arrival of the 1820 Settlers from 1870
- in 1877 this tower was made part of a new city hall
- it contains the foundation stone laid by Sir Henry Bartle Frere in 1877
- it contains a tablet commemorating the 1842 ride of Dick King from Port Natal to
Grahamstown
- next-door is the Victorian premises of T. Birch & Co. (an old-style family
outfitter's still manufacturing)
Other places of historical
interest include:
Fort Selwyn
Church Square
History Museum
Artificers' Square
The Drostdy Gateway
The Oldest Post Box in South Africa
The Eastern Star Gallery (Historic Printing Museum) |
