Our Museum

Nestled at the base of Talana hill – “Talana” meaning “the shelf where precious items are stored”. this is a most appropriate name for this large and varied museum. Started in 1979 to commemorate the Anglo Zulu war, the small collection moved to the present site at the beginning of 1983. An initial 20 acre section of “Dundee” farm, bought in 1982, for the development of a museum to commemorate the centenary of Dundee, included the home and farmsteading of one of the founders of the town, the site of the first coal mining activity in this area and portion of the Talana battlefield. The Smith cottage provides an evocative picture of the lives of the hardy pioneer farmers. A founder of Dundee, Peter Smith, farmed and mined coal on this site. His restored home and farm buildings house cultural, agricultural, carpentry, black smithing and transport displays. The blue stone milk shed, houses an impressive collection of wagons of all types and sizes.

The original saw pits used to cut props for the coal mining still exist and can be seen to the west of the Smith cottage and the carpentry shop.

Talana house built by Peter Smith’s son, in 1894/5 houses the military history exhibits of the area. The displays of weapons, uniforms, photographs and artifacts dramatically depict the conflict between the Zulu, Boer and Brit, as well as an insight into the Bushmen, the earliest settlers of the region.

To the rear of Talana house the old cooling room, with its thatch roof, double walls filled with coal and the water drip feed, is a reminder of preserving food in times gone by.

An incredible variety of wagons and agricultural equipment are displayed in the coach house and milkshed, with farming implements and a hall of curiosities in the old barn.

Walking across the beautifully maintained lawns and gardens visitors walk where “History happened.” The battle of Talana – the first battle of the Anglo Boer War of 1899-1902 – was fought across this farm. around the original buildings and up Talana hill. The verandah of this building and that of the Smith cottage were used as dressing stations for the wounded British soldiers. Today a walking trail allows visitors to follow the route of the British soldiers advance up the hill. Information plaques along the way explain the events at those particular spots. On top of Talana hill are the remains of the fort built by local colonial forces in mid 1900, gun pits, the Boer cannon road and their “schantzes” (rifle firing positions). A number of memorials along the way and on top of the hill record the various British regiments involved in the battle.

At the base of the hill, the cemetery has the remains of British soldiers in 2 mass graves, memorials to those men, the Smith family graves, early pioneer headstones relocated from farm cemeteries and other sites, at the request of their descendants. The headstones of 22 graves from the original Talana village cemetery have also been relocated here.

The annual Ghost Walk on the anniversary of the battle is a unique experience that visitors never forget. You are welcome to join us each year on the evening of 20 October as guides recount the story of the battle and lead you up Talana hill in the footsteps of the British soldiers.

Henderson Hall has 5 main exhibit halls as also houses the archives, research centre and offices.

Glass has been manufactured in this valley since the end of the 19th century. Although the factory closed in 1997, the museum is home to a magnificent collection of glass from around the world and South Africa.

From the mid 1880’s Dundee became the heart of the richest coal producing area in the country. Nicknamed “Coalopolis” the town expanded rapidly and the reconstructed town square and some of the shops, vividly recalls these times. The first organised coal mining in South Africa was begun by the Dundee Coal Company, (registered on the London Stock exchange in 1889), on the slopes of Talana Hill. The remains of coal mines that created the rich and vibrant economy of the area still mark the hillsides and valleys. Today the museum, which is the National Coal Mining museum, has four extensive coal exhibits depicting the many aspects of coal mining in this area and preserving the proud and unique heritage of our coal mining history.

Talana Museum boasts a comprehensive range of archival material relating to the town, region, coal mining and military conflicts in this area over the past two centuries. Our archives are also the national depot for coal mining material. Researchers have access to these records.

A superb collection of beadwork depicting the cultures of the many different African groups and the use of beads in all Indian and western cultures in South Africa, may be viewed in the Bead Gallery.

The Talana station complex comprises the reconstructed Talana station, a Class 13A locomotive and the Shosholoza carriage. The locomotive was relocated from a coal mine, where it had worked all its mining life. Restored and attached to the restored Shosholoza carriage, which for many years was used by the coal industry for private functions, it can now be hired for small functions.

The Museum Shop offers a variety of quality, locally produced products to suit every requirement. An extensive selection of books relating to the military history and cultural of the region, an exclusive and colourful range of Zulu beadwork, produced by community projects, are among many items available.

A superb bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, sculpted in India and donated to the museum by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi, commemorates his involvement in this area in the early 20th C. This memorial, adjacent to a pond, in the parklike grounds of the museum, offers a place of quiet contemplation and reflection of a great man and his contribution to humanity. The 1913 Satyagraha exhibit continues the story of Indian immigration to this region, to work on the coal mines and on the farms.

The Miners’ Rest restaurant in a pre-1914 corrugated iron, miners home, that was relocated from Ballengeich mine, serves delicious meals. Although quaint and characterful it has a wide spread reputation for service and quality of meals. Catering for individuals, groups or functions are handled with flair and friendliness. Sunday lunch is one of the local treats not to be missed.

The Pam McFadden conference hall can seat 100 people comfortably. Set in a quiet self contained area of the museum, with ample parking and space for marquee tents, this is a welcome retreat from the busy world. Conferences, workshops, wedding, birthday parties can all be hosted here.

The history of Dundee, its heritage and involvement in the Great (First World) War are depicted in their own buildings. The Thembani collection of Zulu war artifacts and Zulu cultural items reflects the rich military and cultural heritage of the region.

7 buildings have been relocated from the coal mines of the area. These house a traditional Indian trading store, a music hall and provide space for a large variety of mining exhibits, items and equipment, .

The Gandhi museum in the old Court house in the centre of Dundee was where Mohandas K Gandhi was tried twice (1908 and 1913) and sentenced to serve time in jail. The exhibit tells the story of the building (one of the heritage buildings in Dundee), places Gandhi’s time in Dundee in context of his life in South Africa and in India, as well as the stories of the men and women who supported him.

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