[Originally published in 2014] Andrew Carnegie, an American philanthropist, wrote an article proclaiming “The Gospel of Wealth” and urged the wealthy to improve society. When he made the offer of a Library, Muizenberg, like many other villages, took advantage of his generosity. In 1910, The Carnegie Library replaced the first library in the Municipal offices.
The Carnegie Library was erected between the bungalow, ‘The Fort’, and the Post Office along Main Road, on the site of the Toll booth. The road to Simonstown (Main road) was a toll road administered by the VOC (incorrectly named Dutch East Indies Company).
1915 Survey showing Muizenberg Main Road
When the Carnegie Library became inadequate the books etc. were re-housed in the ex-Fire Station in Atlantic Road, which in turn had moved to a modern Fire Station in Main Road, Lakeside.
Coincidentally a member of the then SA Police, had been reconnoitering for a suitable site for a Cape Province, SA Police museum. He found the Carnegie Library building available with all of the requirements he was looking for. It had been used as a charge office so he approached the Dept. of Public Works and Land Affairs. The erf had previously been used by the Police (1898) and as it was being used by ‘Bosslapers’, they decided to re-utilise the property.
The South African Police Cultural History Museum, with...
