The Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau (A.H.A.T.B.) has now been established in Aberdeen Town. This process in establishing Aberdeen as a cultural site with a heritage rich in historical value to the citizens and students of South Africa, to tourists from abroad and most of all to the residents of Aberdeen and its environs, was the brain child of Mr Hilary Graham.
The proposal of the concept of having a heritage archive and tourism bureau was established in 2005. The IDP reference is IDP 335 for 22/06/2007.
Occupation was taken of the old library municipal building in Grey Street in Aberdeen by Mr Ken Bern of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation on 29th January 2009 and the A.H.A.T.B. opened in April.
Tertiary institutions will supply researchers, usually post graduate students who will ‘open up’ the ‘Aberdeen site’ to heritage, local history, geological studies, architecture, flora and fauna, agriculture and wild nature.
Even though this project is in its early stages, a research interest in this project has been established by Rhodes University, the Nelson Mandela Metro University and the Bournemouth University in England.
Mrs Dallis Graham presented a cultural archive and heritage proposal of the Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau to the relevant research departments of Bournemouth University in England in February 2009.
This project will present job opportunities, enthusiasm in local history for research students, tourist involvement and will place Aberdeen very firmly on the Eastern Cape venue as a destination to visit and to learn from. The official opening will be in June 2009.
The building has been fully secured and the signage and the memorial garden are still in progress. The municipality still has to complete various drainage and electrical problems.
The Bureau has already received visits from the D.A. and a surprise visit from the M.E.C. for Social Works Mr Christian Martin who was in Aberdeen to present emerging farmers with equipment and a tractor. He has given his full support to the Bureau.
Professor Orlando Meyers and Mrs Dallis Graham will be heading up this project for a two year period, when it will be handed over to the town and to the young employees who will then be capable of running and maintaining this project.
Schools in the area will be approached and will be given the opportunity to learn about their heritage. This will hopefully instill a feeling of pride in the children as they learn about their area in the Karoo.
The well known author Mrs Wendy Van Schalkwyk has offered her services to give intensive training with regard to tourism and the history of Aberdeen.
The tourism guides will also be trained in the archiving and preservation of the Aberdeen site. They will research all aspects of Aberdeen history and heritage e.g. the Jewish Cemetery. They will also be interviewing all the communities whose history is mostly oral. This history will be recorded and documented.
At some stage most of the artifacts that were previously in the building were either lost or removed. The Bureau is therefore requesting that the people of Aberdeen and surrounding areas donate or loan any historical artifacts that might be of interest to local people and tourists. These artifacts will be photographed and registered and a copy will be given to the owner.
The establishment of the Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau is inspirational to all who have worked so hard to achieve its conception. The newly painted building in traditional Karoo green and white, with earth coloured floors is once more beautiful to look at. Inside the building the sunlight streams through the large windows onto historical artifacts displays. The building has an air of spaciousness and it is a pleasure to wander around observing and learning. It should give tourists a good feel of Aberdeen and the Karoo.
The proposal of the concept of having a heritage archive and tourism bureau was established in 2005. The IDP reference is IDP 335 for 22/06/2007.
Occupation was taken of the old library municipal building in Grey Street in Aberdeen by Mr Ken Bern of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation on 29th January 2009 and the A.H.A.T.B. opened in April.
Tertiary institutions will supply researchers, usually post graduate students who will ‘open up’ the ‘Aberdeen site’ to heritage, local history, geological studies, architecture, flora and fauna, agriculture and wild nature.
Even though this project is in its early stages, a research interest in this project has been established by Rhodes University, the Nelson Mandela Metro University and the Bournemouth University in England.
Mrs Dallis Graham presented a cultural archive and heritage proposal of the Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau to the relevant research departments of Bournemouth University in England in February 2009.
This project will present job opportunities, enthusiasm in local history for research students, tourist involvement and will place Aberdeen very firmly on the Eastern Cape venue as a destination to visit and to learn from. The official opening will be in June 2009.
The building has been fully secured and the signage and the memorial garden are still in progress. The municipality still has to complete various drainage and electrical problems.
The Bureau has already received visits from the D.A. and a surprise visit from the M.E.C. for Social Works Mr Christian Martin who was in Aberdeen to present emerging farmers with equipment and a tractor. He has given his full support to the Bureau.
Professor Orlando Meyers and Mrs Dallis Graham will be heading up this project for a two year period, when it will be handed over to the town and to the young employees who will then be capable of running and maintaining this project.
Schools in the area will be approached and will be given the opportunity to learn about their heritage. This will hopefully instill a feeling of pride in the children as they learn about their area in the Karoo.
The well known author Mrs Wendy Van Schalkwyk has offered her services to give intensive training with regard to tourism and the history of Aberdeen.
The tourism guides will also be trained in the archiving and preservation of the Aberdeen site. They will research all aspects of Aberdeen history and heritage e.g. the Jewish Cemetery. They will also be interviewing all the communities whose history is mostly oral. This history will be recorded and documented.
At some stage most of the artifacts that were previously in the building were either lost or removed. The Bureau is therefore requesting that the people of Aberdeen and surrounding areas donate or loan any historical artifacts that might be of interest to local people and tourists. These artifacts will be photographed and registered and a copy will be given to the owner.
The establishment of the Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau is inspirational to all who have worked so hard to achieve its conception. The newly painted building in traditional Karoo green and white, with earth coloured floors is once more beautiful to look at. Inside the building the sunlight streams through the large windows onto historical artifacts displays. The building has an air of spaciousness and it is a pleasure to wander around observing and learning. It should give tourists a good feel of Aberdeen and the Karoo.
Article By: Joan Tinker