Barberton Local Museum

First Stop in the History of Barberton

Visitors interested in the history of Barberton should start at Barberton’s Local Museum, the Main Museum of the Barberton Museum Complex. The Local Museum is also the starting point of the Heritage Walk.

At the Local Museum, visitors can learn about the cultural history, geology and mining history of this charming country town. In 1884, gold prospectors and fortunate hunters flocked to the town when gold was first discovered in the area. Unfortunately, for the future of Barberton, gold was discovered in the Witwatersrand and it became nothing more than another quaint country town.

In 1898 a considerable collection of mining specimens, other historical mining items and some natural curios were donated by Mr. Otto Elkan and put on display at the Carnegie Library. The Museum has grown over the years and has become the main museum of the town, displaying general Barberton history, mining and geology history and also the history of the Swazi nation.

Other museums included in the Barberton Museum Complex are the Belhave, Stopforth House, Fernlea and the Block House.

Things to do and see

  • Cultural history exhibition
  • Mining specimens
  • Swazi cultural history
  • Jewelry Project (adjacent)
  • Auditorium
  • Museum Main Office

Admission

There is a nominal admission fee, please contact the Museum directly to confirm prices.

Climate

Rainfall occurs mainly in the mid-summer months, with December and January seeing the highest levels.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 17˚C and 29˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 6˚C and 21˚C.

Transport

There are daily flights from JohannesburgDurban and Cape Town into the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Mombela (Nelspruit). Car rental companies are available for easy access to the surrounding areas with Barberton only half an hour away along the R40. Road trips from Johannesburg to Barberton on the N12 and N4 will take just under 4 hours.

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