OLD HOUSE MUSEUM
About Old House Museum
Also known as the Natal Settlers Museum, the Old House Museum stands on Diakonia Street (formerly St Andrew's Street), near Albert Park in Durban's city centre. The property originally stretched from the bay to St Andrew's Street and once belonged to a man named Ferreira. In 1849 it was bought by John Goodrick, who – with the help of his son – built a modest two-roomed wattle-and-daub cottage on the site.
The land was sold on several times before being purchased in 1858 by George Robinson, publisher of the Natal Mercury – Natal's first daily newspaper. His son, Sir John Robinson, went on to become Natal's first Prime Minister, and the family enlarged the house considerably over the years that followed.
Exhibitions:
The site was donated to the city by George Churton Collins and opened as a museum on 12 June 1954, dedicated to housing memorabilia of Durban's early settlers. The house was declared a National Monument on 28 November 1975.
Inside, the museum recreates the domestic life of the Robinson family, one of Durban's most prominent settler families, with period furniture, mannequins in Victorian dress, and rooms set out much as they would have appeared in the 19th century. Original oil paintings depicting early Durban life and landscapes hang throughout the house, alongside period clocks, china and an embroidered cloth autographed by local leaders of the day.
Outside, an authentic ox-wagon and post-cart illustrate the transport of the era. One of the museum's most treasured exhibits is a ship's clock salvaged from the wreck of the Minerva – one of the vessels bringing British settlers to Natal, wrecked off Durban in July 1850 – which was found washed ashore, still ticking, some time after the disaster.
Set within park-like gardens close to Albert Park, the Old House Museum offers a peaceful glimpse into the lifestyle of Durban's colonial-era settlers, away from the bustle of the city centre.