The museum building, 'The Residency,' is one of the oldest standing structures in Simon's Town, dating back to the late 18th century.
The museum houses the original collar and service records of Just Nuisance, a Great Dane who served as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy from 1937 to 1944.
The collection includes extensive records on the forced removals of the local population from Simon's Town under the Group Areas Act in the 1960s.
It maintains a detailed archive of the British Royal Navy's South Atlantic Squadron, which used Simon's Town as its primary base for over a century.
The Simon's Town Museum, housed in the historic The Residency building, chronicles the long-standing naval and social history of South Africa's primary naval port. Originally built in 1777 as a home for the Dutch East India Company's local governor, the structure later served as a magistrate's court and post office. The museum archives detail the influence of the Royal Navy, which maintained a major base here until 1957. Exhibits highlight the diverse cultural groups that settled in the area, including the local Muslim community and their forced removals during the apartheid era. It also features maritime artifacts, ship models, and documentation regarding the famous Great Dane, Just Nuisance, the only dog ever officially enlisted in the Royal Navy. The collection provides insight into the colonial and post-colonial evolution of the Cape Peninsula.
The museum's historic exterior facade and the interior display case dedicated to Just Nuisance.
Combine your visit with a walk down the nearby St. George's Street to view the original Victorian-era architecture.
Visit the Just Nuisance statue located at the nearby Jubilee Square after exploring the museum displays.
Check in with the front desk for access to the museum's local genealogical records if you are researching family history in the area.
Do not assume the museum covers only military history; failing to view the social history exhibits of the local community would miss the core of the museum's mission.
Closed on weekends and public holidays.
Respectful behavior is expected as the museum contains sensitive cultural and political historical archives.
