Cape Town residents can step into the city’s past this Heritage Month by exploring the City’s Civic Collection: a diverse collection of artworks, historical objects, photographs, documents, ceremonial items and artefacts that help tell the story of Cape Town and its development.
Some of these objects can be seen for free at The Attic exhibition at Cape Town City Hall, while residents can explore the collection online through the City’s Digital Vault.
The Civic Collection has grown over many years through purchases, commissions, donations and the preservation of objects previously used in the administration and governance of Cape Town.
Among the significant objects featured in The Attic are a piece of the Slave Tree, the original sundial from the Company’s Garden, mayoral chains from municipalities that today form part of the Cape Town metro, and the Mayoral Mace.
Together, these objects provide glimpses into different periods of Cape Town’s history and the people, places, technologies and institutions that have shaped the city.
The City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department is responsible for conserving, researching and managing the collection, as well as making its stories increasingly accessible to the public.
‘There is something quite special about seeing an object that has been part of Cape Town’s story for decades, or even centuries, and realising that it has been preserved for all of us.
‘Heritage should not simply be something that is stored away. We want residents to be able to see it, explore it and understand the stories behind it. This Heritage Month, I encourage Capetonians to visit The Attic or explore the Digital Vault and discover something about their city that they did not know before,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Cllr Francine Higham.
A collection residents can explore
The Attic, situated at Cape Town City Hall, uses objects from the Civic Collection alongside artworks, historical information, video and interactive displays to tell the story of Cape Town’s development.
The exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 15:00 and entry is free.
Residents who cannot visit in person can explore the Civic Collection through the City’s Digital Vault, where catalogue information, historical context and detailed photographs of collection items are available online.
The Digital Vault also provides access to information about the City’s collections of monuments, memorials and temporary public art, bringing different parts of Cape Town’s cultural heritage together in one online resource.
The City’s wider heritage responsibilities include the care of 140 memorials across Cape Town. Over the past 12 months, 23 damaged or missing memorial plaques have also been replaced as part of ongoing work to protect the city’s public heritage.
Through conservation, research, exhibitions and digital access, the City is working to ensure that Cape Town’s heritage is not only preserved, but can continue to be explored, understood and shared with future generations.
Visit The Attic:
- Cape Town City Hall
- Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 15:00
- Entrance is free
For large groups and special tours, contact Civic.Collection@capetown.gov.za.
