The Proposed Vision
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EAST FORT GATE PROJECT
Chapman's Peak Drive Tourism Development

The "Living Museum" concept is not unique. On a large scale, the USA's "Colonial Williamsburg  Living Museum" is a great tourism attraction which highlights the country's colonial history and is very popular with American as well as international tourists. However, it focuses more or less exclusively on its British eighteenth century heritage whereas East Fort has associations with Holland, France, India , Sweden as well as Britain and South Africa and its location makes it totally unique worldwide.

The V.O.C. fortifications were first built by a French Mercenary Regiment from Pondicherry in India, for the Dutch in 1781-2. It exchanged hands with Britain in 1795  until 1802 when it was commanded once again by the Dutch of the Batavian Republic until 1806 when it was again manned by the British throughout the remaining Napoleonic wars until 1826 when it would seem that the troops were finally withdrawn. In WW2, East Fort once again played a role in defending the Cape of Good Hope which was still the worlds most important sea route in the Southern Hemisphere and the gateway to the East..

Opposite:- Part of the upper section of Hout Bay's East Fort  built by British Major General James Craig in 1796 the year following the first British occupation of the Cape.

This picture, painted by Thomas Baines c.1850, shows the three storey blockhouse built by General James Craig in 1796 following the first British occupation of the Cape. In the middle foreground right can be seen the old magazine where now stands a WW2 Pill Box which probably contained range finding equipment. (Courtesy Hout Bay Museum).

• The creation of a "Living Museum"  reflecting the international flavour of its historic occupants.

• A "Living Auditorium" which will show audio visual presentations on a wide variety of topics associated with Chapmans Peak , the Peninsula National Park and the site.

• A National Park "East Fort Gate" applying the stamp of the Park's conservation and protection ethos.

• A National Park Hiking Node incorporating overnight hiking facilities and connecting to other CPNP trails.

Will there be an educational element?
Yes, together with the "Living Auditorium"  there will be a strong educational element for school parties  as well as tourists to cover many locally related topics such as :

• Our National Park
• Geography
• Geology
• Ecology
• Botany
• History
• Walks and Trails

Hout Bay's natural beauty is unsurpassed and the Atlantic sunsets are a photographers delight.

Some of Chapman's Peak special Flora
Amarylis Belladonna

What is a Living Auditorium?
The "Living Auditorium" would accommodate at least 60 tourists or learners who will view selected programmes of short Audio Visual presentations on various topics. For example a presentation on the "History of the construction of Chapmans Peak Drive" will be followed by a tour highlighted by the presentation material. Topics such as the fynbos biome, geology,  the Fort's military history,  the manganese mine, Afro-montane  pocket forests and many other topics could be covered with "live tours". What could be better in the months of September  through to November, than a presentation on "Whales of the South Atlantic" followed by a real life viewing session with a guide?

Mountain fires could also be featured in audio visual form to help to illustrate the "fynbos cycle". The magnificent March Lilies opposite appeared in profusion after the 2000 fire formally lying dormant for 30 yrs or more - a perfect subject for a "living presentation" in the auditorium.

How could the existing historic military precincts be used?

The centre piece of the Living Museum would be the restored 1796 Blockhouse. The plans and much information about the buildings are available and it is hoped that the SA Heritage Resources Agency will permit its reconstruction. The restored Blockhouse will create the "Living Museum" ambiance making the site unique. Without it, the site will be reduced to an "interesting ruin".
The restored blockhouse will be used to display artifacts and interpretation displays. It is envisaged that groups will be conducted through the building and onto the roof which will give an unsurpassed panorama of the Bay. It will also have a  prominent flagpole which will signal to visitors that whales are in the Bay!

The dormitories which could be converted to accommodate facilities and the "Living Auditorium".