Explore the Roodepoort Museum on International Museum Day
Every year since 1977, the International Council of Museums has organised International Museum Day.
The Roodepoort Museum is inviting the community to celebrate International Museum day with them on 17 May from 11am to 3pm.
The objective is to raise awareness of museums as an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.
“Roodepoort Museum is the treasure house of our community and a must see for every Roodepoort resident. The displays kick off with information panels illustrating the history of Roodepoort, with particular focus on the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1884 by the Struben Brothers. The real magic starts when you arrive on a reconstructed 19th century farmyard where you experience what life was like before the discovery of gold. The immense social and economic turnabout caused by the discovery of gold is evident when you walk through the Victorian Home,” said Roodepoort Museum Curator Carolina Geldenhuys.
The cost of a guided tour on International Museum Day is only R5 per person (Normal price is R10 for children under the age of 16 and R20 for adults).
In addition to the festivities of a guided tour, the museum will host a “Knit-a-long” for 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela.
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, a registered non-profit organisation, is a movement where people get together to knit and crochet blankets for those in need.
“Those interested can make or donate complete handmade baby blanket or single bed blanket. No store bought blankets can be accepted because buying a blanket is easy while making one is time consuming and laborious. So much love and passion goes into making something yourself,” said Carolina.
Collected blankets will be distributed on Mandela Day, which occurs annually on 18 July.
“If making a complete blanket is not possible, you can still participate by knitting or crochet blocks that can be sewn together to make a blanket. Even if you cannot knit or crochet you can still participate by donating wool, new or second hand to enable those that can knit or crochet but cannot afford to buy the wool to participate in this wonderful project that helps to make the world a better place,” said Carolina.
