The British Museums Association, the Carnegie Coropation and museums in South Africa,1932-1938 : an overview

Abstract

This article is an investigation into the role played by two foreign institutions in a museums survey in the 1930s that resulted in the publication of a Report and a Directory which deal to some extent with South African museums at a stage when not many museum publications appeared. The Report covered a wide range of museum matters from the administration of museums, displays, research and research publications, staff matters, even to taxidermy (at the time an important aspect of museum work) and museum buildings. A very important recommendation of the Report was the necessity for better cooperation between museums. This resulted in the establishment of the Southern African Museums Association in 1936. The report also emphasized the importance of the development of museum educational activities, which resulted in the allocation of grants to the education divisions of several museums. Other outcomes were publications and eventually the appointment by the government of a Commission of enquiry into museum matters.