Amathole Museum, Natural and cultural history museum in Qonce, South Africa
The Amathole Museum is a natural history and cultural museum in downtown Qonce that occupies multiple historic buildings. Its collections feature preserved mammals, historical objects, and cultural displays arranged throughout these spaces.
The museum was founded in 1884 by the King William's Town Naturalist Society and opened to the public in 1898. It received its current name in 1999 as its role evolved to reflect the broader region it serves.
The Xhosa Gallery displays objects and documents that reveal how the Xhosa people lived and understood their world. Walking through it, you see how these traditions shaped the region and continue to matter today.
The museum has a tea room for refreshments and a gift shop selling local crafts and goods. Educational programs for children and adults are available, so check ahead about current offerings during your visit.
The museum preserves the remains of Huberta, a female hippopotamus that wandered over 1600 kilometers along the South African coast during the 1920s. This unusual story draws visitors curious about this animal's remarkable journey through the region.
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