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Grey Institute
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape

Robert ARCHIBALD: Architect

Date:1856 : 1875
Type:School
Status:Extant

 


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Coordinates:
33°57'43.77" S 25°37'07.49" E Alt: 58m

(Harradine 1985)

During the 1850’s a revival of higher learning filtered through the Cape Colony. Sir George Grey played a prominent role in the movement, during which properties were set aside for schools. A large grant was made for the establishment of a school in Port Elizabeth. Most of the land granted was sold to finance the building and establishment of the school which became known as the Grey Institute.

The present building was completed in 1859. By 1900 the school had about 1 000 pupils, far too many for the existing facilities. In 1915 the school moved to more spacious premises in Mill Park. The building became the Pearson High School, then the Albert Jackson Primary School. The interior of the building has been changed, and the clock tower was added in 1875. The building is architecturally attractive and a fine example of the secular gothic style. It was proclaimed a national monument in 1963.

Source: Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism.

All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon.


Books and articles that reference Grey Institute

Oberholster, JJ. 1972. The historical monuments of South Africa. Cape Town: Rembrandt Van Rijn Foundation for Culture at the request of the National Monuments Council. pg 134
Picton-Seymour, Désirée. 1977. Victorian Buildings in South Africa. Cape Town: AA Balkema. pg 180, 192