Simon's Town Museum 3.54

Simon's Town Museum is located in The Residency, an historical building in Court Road, Simon's Town, dating to the VOC period and built in 1777 as the winter residence of the VOC Governor at the Cape of Good Hope, when on official business at Simon’s Bay.
There is a phenomenally long history of indigenous human occupation in the South Peninsula, with Simon's Bay only being officially named as such by VOC Governor Simon van der Stel in 1687.
The refreshment station of Simonsvlek was officially established in 1743 by the VOC, who administered the (already international) maritime port until the First British Occupation (1795-1803).
Thereafter Simon's Bay (and the Cape) was briefly under the authority of the Batavian Republic from 1803 until1806.
The Second British Occupation of the Cape took place in 1806 and from 1813 until 1957 Simon's Town was the official base of the Royal Navy in the South Atlantic.
This diverse history resulted in a very cosmopolitan population with links to many other nations around the world.
Simon's Town's strategic global position led to the history of the town and its people being entwined with international exploration, migration, social change and politics. It also resulted in our community being involved in events that influenced and shaped wars and conflicts in South Africa and world-wide.