More than 60 years after a small group of residents first gathered to preserve Simon’s Town’s heritage, the Simon’s Town Historical Society (STHS) is issuing an urgent call for volunteers to ensure that work continues.

Origins

The society was founded on 22 February 1960 by ordinary people who gave up their Saturday mornings to search archives, record memories, catalogue collections and preserve the history of a town they loved, according to STHS volunteer, Esther le Roux.

Under the chairmanship of Mr HC “Dumps” Willis, members painstakingly examined records at the Cape Archives, collected photographs, maps, books and family documents, and created one of the most significant local heritage archives in the Western Cape.

Their efforts led directly to the establishment of the Simon’s Town Museum, which opened on 1 April 1977 in the Old Headmaster’s House with Professor Q Pryce-Lewis as its first curator.

When the museum later relocated to The Residency, society volunteers once again worked alongside museum staff to catalogue, document and relocate thousands of objects and records.

“More than 60 years later, that work continues. History did not stop in 1960, or in 1977, when the museum opened,” Le Roux said.

Still, the society needed assistance with volunteers to ensure the history of STHS remained chronicled and celebrated.

Members needed

Volunteers are reminded that they do not need to be historians to make a valuable contribution. The society is seeking help across a range of areas.

Volunteers are needed to research the history of buildings, families and businesses, assist with a UNESCO World Heritage Initiative, and record oral histories before they are lost.

“They will help scan photographs, catalogue documents and preserve historic records, assist in identifying people, places and events in our photographic collections and help us digitise our remarkable archive for future generations to access,” she said.

The society also needs contributors for publications, including republishing articles from its historic bulletins.

Heritage and conservation volunteers can assist with documenting historic buildings, supporting heritage interpretation projects and installing historical plaques.

Community project volunteers can help collect family stories, assist with public talks, heritage walks and school outreach.

Digital skills are particularly in demand, including photography, graphic design, website content, social media, video editing and digital mapping.

“You will assist with public talks, exhibitions, heritage walks and community events and encourage schools and younger generations to discover the remarkable history that surrounds them,” she added.

For more information, contact at Esther le Roux at estherleroux@gmail.com.

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