Great Brak River Museum

About Great Brak River Museum

The Great Brak River Museum houses artifacts, photographs and important information about the indigenous Khoisan and Khoe people, and the village of the the Great Brak River, dating back to 1839.

The Museum operates from a school house that was built in 1902, and was begun in 1975 by Russel Searle, one of the directors of Searle’s Shoe Factory, which was one of the largest industries in the village.

The Searle family founded the Great Brak River village in 1859, and have contributed enormously to the museum. The museum and its collection of old photographs, implements and artifacts were later donated to the Great Brak River Municipality, which now also houses the local tourism information centre. Visits to the restored 1924 hydro-power station can be arranged. Explore the colourful history of the Great Brak River village, for a deeper understanding of it.

The Town of Great Brak River

The town of Great Brak River was started in 1859 when Charles Searle brought his family to the then-virtually unknown rural settlement alongside the flood-prone river. He was appointed to operate and collect the toll which provided not only for his well-being, but also for the cost of maintaining the crossing. Travellers often needed their shoes (veldskoens) repaired, and Charles Searle saw an opportunity. He established a small shoe factory, which eventually became a dynamic industry, allowing the village to grow extensively.

The Great Brak River Museum

The Great Brak River Museum is a treasure trove of information and artifacts, showcasing the rich heritage of this small village. The exhibits at the museum include old photographs, a reproduction of an early Drawing-room, Kitchen, and Bedroom, an extensive history of the Khoe people, and the story of Modern Man which started some 200,000 years ago. The museum also has a room devoted to the Searle Industries and their Military participation.

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The significance of the Searle family to the museum cannot be overstated. The family founded the Great Brak River village in 1859, and they have contributed enormously to the museum and its collection. Today, the museum and its collection of artifacts have been donated to the Great Brak River Municipality, which now also houses the local tourism information centre.

1924 Hydro-power Station

Visitors to the Great Brak River Museum can enquire about a visit to the restored 1924 hydro-power station. This is the last remaining operable 1920s hydropower station in South Africa, and a visit here offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of hydro-power in South Africa.