Step back in time at the Barberton Museum
Established in 1898, the Barberton Museum began with a modest collection of geological samples but has since grown into a remarkable heritage complex that preserves the story of Barberton, its people, and its world-famous geological significance.
Gold, loss and uncertainty: three mines that shaped the community
While famous names like Sheba and Fairview dominate the town’s early history, three smaller operations, Lily, Barbrook and Makhonjwa mines, played deeply personal role in the lives of generations of local families.
📽️ From boomtown to living museum
From gold-rush boomtown to UNESCO World Heritage destination, Barberton has had to balance preservation with progress.
Fernlea: a house built in the gold rush era
Fernlea House in Barberton dates back to the late 1880s and offers a look at everyday life during the town’s early gold rush years. One of the oldest surviving homes in the area, it reflects how families lived while the mining industry shaped the valley.
Behind bars: crime, punishment and the prisoners who tried to escape
Where gold flowed, crime followed and Barberton’s jail became one of the town’s first lines of defence against chaos.
Echoes in the mountains: life and loss in the former asbestos town of Msauli
For many former residents, growing up in Msauli or Diepgezet meant living in a place where everyone knew one another.