Beaufort West Museum

Beaufort West became the first municipality in South Africa in February, 1837 and had the first town hall in the country. Today this forms part of the museum and houses a magnificent display of awards presented to surgeon Professor Chris Barnard who performed the world’s first heart transplant in 1967.

The little yellow church is the Dutch Reformed Mission Church which was built in 1871. This is the church in which the Reverend Adam Barnard, father of Professor Chris Barnard, world heart transplant pioneer, preached. Today it houses a collection of historical outfits, the town's cultural and church histories, many pictures of the town and an arms and ammunition collection. You can also visit the house next door in which the Barnard family lived. Professor Barnard's ashes have been interred in the garden.

Overview

The Beaufort West Museum consist of three buildings,
The Old Town Hall that houses two exhibitions namely the Chris Barnard and Medical Science Exhibition and the Beaufort Pictorial which depicts the development of Beaufort West through the years.
The Mission Church host a new permanent exhibition that displays a collection of personal memories about Beaufort West Dutch Reformed Mission congregation until its forced removal to a coloured group area in the late 60's.
The Parsonage is the house in which Professor Chris Barnard who became the most famous heart surgeon was born in.He also spend his childhood here.Today,the parsonage has been restored and furnished as in the time of the Barnard's.The late professor Barnard's ashes were also buried in the old parsonage garden and his grave site can also be viewed.

*The Old Mission Church Museum can be hired as venue strictly for weddings.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 09h00 - 15h00
Saturday: closed
Beaufort West Museum is closed on public holidays.
Special arrangements for groups could be made when Museum is closed.

Entry

R 100 (adults) / R 55 (children)

Contact

Curator: Ms Vuyiseka Myakala
Tel. 023-4152308
Fax: 023-4152545
infoSKaapSTERTbeaufortwestmuseum.co.za
https://www.beaufortwestmuseum.co.za

Museum Address

87 Donkin Street
Beaufort West
6970