About Museum of Military History
The National Museum of Military History holds a collection of over 44 000 items from both world wars and the civil war against Apartheid.
Did you know? The Museum accepts donations of military uniforms, badges, medals and flags. Items from the Anglo Boer War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Border War and the Struggle Movement are particularly welcome.
If you are even vaguely into weapons, military aircraft, medals, uniforms and other war memorabilia, then the South African Museum of Military History set on Erlswold Way in Saxonwald, Johannesburg - literally next door to the Johannesburg Zoo - is obligatory.
During the First World War many of the countries involved in the fighting spent time collecting and preserving records of the role of their soldiers. For instance Britain established the Imperial War Museum, but South Africa failed to start any form of a museum and a lot of the material relating to the period was lost. It was shortly after South Africa entered the Second World War that efforts began to preserve documents and materials, and an Historical Research Committee was set up.
Interestingly the state appointed seven war artists who were present at the front. The collection of over 800 art pieces that followed serves as a form of reference to South Africa’s role in the war.
The museum opened only in 1947 and was called the South African National War Museum. It was changed in 1975 to the South African National Museum of Military History. It holds a collection of over 44 000 items from both world wars and the civil war against Apartheid, divided into 37 categories that include photographs, the art collection and some of the rarest aircraft in the world.
The Museum of Military History also has a library with a unique collection of journals, archive material and books, and some 80 000 people visit annually.
Need to Know
WhereErlswold Way in Saxonwald, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
WhenDaily from 09h00 to 16h30
Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and the first Sunday in September
Telephone+27 (0)10 001-3515
OvernightStay in Johannesburg Accommodation, Gauteng
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested in
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Johannesburg
Meridian Hospitality Guest House
Nestled in the quiet tree-lined avenues of Edenvale, Meridian Hospitality Accommodation is one of a kind Boutique Guest House unashamedly a cut a...
Melrose Hideout
Melrose Hideout is a guest house located 2.4km from Sandton City Mall and offers bed & breakfast accommodation in a central location. Melrose Hid...
Modern Executive Studio 128
Modern Executive Studio 128 offers accommodation for two guests close to Sandton City. The bedroom is furnished with a double bed and has a bathr...
The Loft on Glenluce
The Loft offers self-catering accommodation in Douglasdale, Sandton, in a highly secure leafy garden property. Guests can access the shared pool,...
Eagles Nest Estate Guest House
To the South, nested above the rush and noise of a city that never sleeps, confined within the boundaries of the Klipriversberg Conservancy is wh...
47 On Manson
47 on Manson offers accommodation ideal for business and leisure travellers. This is a small guesthouse in Boksburg with two rooms that are equip...
Tequesta 26
Tequesta 26 is a lovely apartment set in a secure complex. The apartment has one bedroom furnished with a double bed. The kitchen is well equippe...
Dalberry Guest House
Centrally located in the popular suburb of Fourways, north of Johannesburg, Dalberry Guest House is set in a peaceful garden surrounded by beauti...
Crib Lodge
Crib Lodge offers comfortable accommodation in Ferndale. Rooms include DStv, free Wi-Fi, a safe for valuables and a tea / coffee station. We offe...
Things to do in the area
Explore the Museum of Military History
If you are staying in Sandton, visit the Museum of Military History in Saxonwold. Although relics of war are not everyone’s cup of tea, this muse...
Row Boats on Zoo Lake
Set on the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and West World Street, virtually across from the Johannesburg Zoo, Zoo Lake is usually a hive of activity -...
Killarney Mall
Johannesburg is the retail and commercial hub of South Africa and the Killarney Mall is one of its most established shopping centres. This mall, ...
Accommodation convenient to Museum of Military History
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Gauteng Accommodation / Johannesburg Accommodation