University of Pretoria Museums

credit: https://www.up.ac.za/museums-collections

Table of Contents

Introduction

If you’re looking for a place to immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of South Africa, then the University of Pretoria Museums are a must-visit destination. The University of Pretoria Museums have been managing, conserving, and curating a diverse range of collections for over a century, making it an iconic institution in the region.

About the Museum(s)

The University of Pretoria Museums comprise a vast collection of art, ceramics, and sculpture from southern Africa and around the world. The Museum is divided into various locations, including two historical buildings on Hatfield Campus, namely the Old Arts Building (1910) and the Old Merensky Building (1937). These locations house some of the University’s most valuable and unique collections, including the iconic Mapungubwe Collection, which is a declared national treasure of South Africa.

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The University of Pretoria Museums serve as a professional service internally for the University of Pretoria and also provide an opportunity for the public to engage with art and appreciate the University as a steward of some of South Africa’s finest collections. The past decade has seen the museums focus on wider and more inclusive public engagement, digital access, and better access for the disabled to these heritage collections beyond academia.

Booking Tours

The University of Pretoria Museums offer a variety of guided tours, including an introductory one-hour museum tour, an Artology tour, school tours, Mapungubwe exclusive tours, conversational tours, sculpture route tours, researchers and visiting scholars tours, bespoke UP Alumni GLAM tours, corporate tours, Treasure Tuesday tours, Tukkie Student tours, and UP staff orientation tours.

Each tour has a different focus and duration, and some require a fee. Booking a guided tour will give you a more comprehensive understanding of the collections, and you can tailor your tour to your interests.

It is essential to make a booking for a tour of the University of Pretoria Museums to ensure that your visit is well-organized and that a guide is available to show you around. To make a booking, simply email museums@up.ac.za and provide your preferred date and time of the tour. You should allow for about two working days to schedule and confirm your tour.

Interesting Facts

These museums have been managing, conserving, and curating collections for over a century, making it an iconic institution in the region.
The museums houses some of the University’s most valuable and unique collections, including the iconic Mapungubwe Collection, which is a declared national treasure of South Africa.
The University of Pretoria Museums have launched the UP GLAM initiative, a first in South Africa, to promote UP’s Galleries/Gardens, Libraries, Archives, and Museums.
The museums offers various guided tours, including an Introductory 1 Hour Museum Tour, Artology Tour, School Tours, Mapungubwe Exclusive Tour, Sculpture Route Tours, Researchers & Visiting Scholars Tours, Bespoke UP Alumni GLAM Tours, and Corporate Tours.

Physical Location

Tourist Experiences

Make a trip of it and visit some of the other recommended museums, tourist attractions and experiences in the area.

Conclusion

The University of Pretoria Museums are a unique and valuable cultural institution in South Africa. The museums house some of the University’s most valuable and unique collections, making it an iconic destination for visitors seeking to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the region. The museums’ focus on wider and more inclusive public engagement, digital access, and better access for the disabled to these heritage collections beyond academia makes it an exceptional cultural and educational experience. So, if you’re looking for a place to appreciate art and history, make sure to add the University of Pretoria Museums to your itinerary.