Exhibitions
The Dinosaur Hall traces the stages of development of life on Earth from some 300 million years ago. The display cases exhibit rocks, minerals, fossils, dioramas and life-size models of prehistoric reptiles. Meet a life-size model of Algoa Bay's very own dinosaur, Algoasaurus. Genuine fossilized bone fragments, which were discovered in Kirkwood near Port Elizabeth are displayed alongside Algoasaurus. The main framework of the body was made of welded galvanised iron box girders, wooden bulkheads and basketwork of wooden strips. A thick 5cm layer of papier-mâché covers the entire body to create the many creases, folds and wrinkles that make up the skin surface.
Maritime History Hall exhibits tell a story of shipping of by-gone years, early explorers of the African coast and the lure of trade with the East. Artifacts from shipwrecks found near Port Elizabeth, a model of the Dias padrao and various ship models are featured. The landing basket at the entrance to the hall was used to load and off-load passengers onto the decks of tugs. You can try lifting a small portion of a canon similar to those from the Portuguese galleon, Sacramento, which was wrecked near Schoenmakerskop more than 300 years ago.
The Marine Hall features a number of marine invertebrate groups and various types of fish. A southern right whale skeleton, suspended from the ceiling, dominates the hall. This was one of the last whales to be harpooned in Nelson Mandela Bay. Other interesting features are the coelacanth and shark models displayed in the Sharks - Magnificent and Misunderstood exhibit. Some of the earlier models of fishes were carved from wood and painted. The more recent models are fibreglass casts.
Curiosity Corner - This is the closest you'll get to an old fashioned museum. Human and animal anatomical models, medieval armour and weaponry, unusual musical instruments, skeletons from years ago and various odds and ends are exhibited to arouse curiosity! Most of these items were donated by members of the public – the origin and history of some are questionable.
The Xhosa Gallery displays the history of the development of local Xhosa beadwork and culture, as well as the genealogies of the various clans. Interesting colour and pattern combinations reveal messages of love and tradition.
The First People of the Bay Exhibition traces the origins and showcases the lifestyles and cultural practices of the indigenous people of Nelson Mandela Bay, the San and the Khoekhoen. It further looks at the impact of colonisation of southern Africa on the lives, the destiny of these people and how a single Khoekhoe woman, Sarah Baartman, cam to be an icon of international significance..
The Costume Hall - The clothes on display date from the 1960's together with some avant-garde creations for the new millennium.
Temporary Display- Africa's Lost World - A striking exhibition at the Museum featuring dinosaurs from