21 years of preserving Boksburg history
The Boksburg and East Rand Historical Association celebrated its 21st birthday recently.
To commemorate the occasion, the historical society held a breakfast at the Boksburg High School.
The breakfast honoured the volunteers who’ve worked for 21 years to preserve Boksburg history.
The two-hour event featured a display of a series of historical photographs and an exhibition of other historical items.
Saturday’s celebration also enabled members of the society to exhibit their own historical items, including old newspapers, and pictures of historical buildings.
Pictures of the Boksburg Lake, from the days when it was a regular spot to swim and have a picnic, was also presented.
According to members of the association, the lake used to be a tourist spot, and newly-weds would spend their honeymoon at one of the local hotels.
A group of residents founded the association in 1993 to preserve the past for future generations, even as the city and the world were rapidly modernising.
The association continues to promote, trace and record historic buildings, events and people in Boksburg and its adjoining areas, with a goal to enrich generations with their preservation of the past.
According to Tony Hudson from the association, over the years a vast collection of activity within Boksburg has been recorded and placed within the archives of the association.
“From time-to-time, these are shown during public exhibitions, covering items from mining magnates to murderers.”
Hudson says the membership of the association is open to anyone with a like-minded interest in Boksburg.
“We have monthly meetings where guests can enjoy talks from speakers, or view a documentary film, or travel with members to a site visit, which in the past has included historical trips to Kimberley, Pretoria and Bloemfontein, as well as many in the local vicinity.
“The latest one was to St Anthony’s Skills Development Centre in Reiger Park.
“This was held in conjunction with a visit to the House of Mercy and St Francis Care Centre in the footsteps of Fr Stan Brennan,” he explains.
The association has also tried in vain to obtain permission from the municipality to convert the Old Boksburg Post Office building into a museum.
Those who would like more information on the association may visit www.geocities.com/boksburghistorical or e-mail boksburghistorical@gmail.com.
Society meetings take place on the first Saturday of the month at 9am at the Boksburg High School.
– @FanieBoksburg
