Red Location Museum New Brighton

Red Location Museum by Jonker Fourie

The History of Red Location in Port Elizabeth is fascinating and well worth the visit! Being the first settled Black Township of Port Elizabeth the name transpired from the number of deeply-red-rusted corrugated iron barrack buildings which were initially part of a Boer Concentration Camp in Uitenhage and moved to Red Location in 1900 where the first settled urban Black families settled.

Noero Wolff Architects challenged the conventional methods of mixed-use museum design. Drawing inspiration from the work of Professor Andreas Huyssen who’s in-depth study of the concept of culture, memory and history and their relationship as a result reflects the intention –  “Visitors should not experience the space as consumers but rather active participants.” Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism chief executive Mandlakazi Skefile said, “The Red Location Museum is a stark reminder of days past, the museum pays tribute to the liberation struggle against apartheid and stands for the values of love, reconciliation and hope for the future.”

The Museum also comprises an auditorium, library, art gallery, offices, a memorial space to commemorate the local heroes of the struggle and an adjoining tomb where Raymond Mhlaba and Goven Mbeki, national struggle heroes, are buried. They continuously host exhibitions, book launches and conferences. Watch this space for more info!