The Fish Hoek Valley Museum was bursting at its seams last Friday during its official reopening after extensive renovations earlier this year.
The museum closed in April for three months while the City gave it a much-needed makeover, which cost R600 000 (“Fish Hoek Valley Museum closed for renovations,” Echo April 13).
However, due to unpredictable weather conditions, the renovations – which included fencing the museum; repairs to the roof; painting of the roof, walls, windows, and doors; high-pressure cleaning of the front driveway and walkway areas; and an upgrade of the electrical wiring – took much longer.
The event included a fund-raising wine tasting attended by about 70 visitors from across the far south who browsed the museum’s exhibits.
The ingredients for snacks were sponsored by a local supermarket, and catering was done by Rolanda Alexander, head of Fish Hoek High School’s hospitality studies, and a team of pupils..
Raffle tickets were sold by the Rotary Club Cape of Good Hope and local businesses donated raffle prizes, which included meal vouchers, a photoshoot and a mini succulent rock garden.
A total of R10 220 was raised, and museum curator Sall Britten said the event had exceeded her expectations.
The money raised, she said, was much-needed funding for the museum.
“I want to thank all who organised and sponsored the event and the local community who were so generous. It was a relaxed and happy atmosphere with the interior of the museum looking amazing after the small team of volunteers had worked so hard to set up and arrange fresh displays,” she said.
The funds would be used to get more attractive display units, more storage cupboards, and filing cabinets as well as the service of a plumber to repair the leaking toilet.
The museum is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9.30am to 12.30pm and entry is R10 a person. Entry for children is free.
