Red Location Museum
Red Location Museum
3.8
This location was reported permanently closed
About
THE MUSEUM It is designed to challenge conventional views of museum design. It draws on the work of Andreas Huyssen who has written extensively on the concept of memory and history. Visitors are not treated as consumers but active participants. The conventions of representing history as a single story are challenged through the design of the museum spaces. The past is represented as a set of memories that are disconnected yet bound together by themes.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.8
40 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
15
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
6
Firefly the Travel Guy
Port Elizabeth, South Africa280 contributions
The Red Location Museum is the type of spot which touches everybody differently. Some people come out with tears in their eyes while others are excited by what they have seen and learned. The guides in the museum is very knowledgeable. It is fairly easy to get to the museum, but if you have time I would recommend visiting the museum as part of a guided township tour to get a better perspective of the history of and life in the townships
Written July 14, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie M
London, UK28 contributions
Apr 2013
The Red Location museum is undoubtably a very interesting place, the architecture is different to anything else that we had seen in SA and the exhibits were well presented and informative, not to mention very moving. The use of multimedia and different presentation seems quite innovative, particularly in the rooms discussing death in custody and the representation of the township abode. Some elements however, such as the incessant crying and wailing piped through the speakers, serves only to distract you from the story being told. The museum itself could be fantastic but unfortunately had a rather abandoned feel, half of the exhibits were closed down and the ladies who sold us the tickets could not have been less interested, barely looking up from their mobile phones to take our money. The really odd thing however is the actual abandoned buildings that once held the art gallery and library. The gallery is empty save for a pack of dogs roaming around outside. You can go and have a look around the library if you want a particularly depressing experience. It is empty, dusty and completely devoid of any books at all, just a building that has essentially been left behind?! I don't know what the story is behind the museum complex but it could be a must visit if it receives some attention soon.
Written May 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mistique11
Port Elizabeth,3 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
To find such incredible architecture in the heart of a very rundown area in Port Elizabeth is quite fantastic. It's a great eye opener into the history that you seek to understand when you're visiting, but the design is something you won't see in a hurry anywhere else.
Written April 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim6675
192 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
We picked up a leaflet in our bnb yesterday and used the sat nav to drive to the museum. The litter, stray dogs and tin homes rang alarm bells as we clearly had arrived in a very poor township. The actual museum road had a barrier saying 'road closed' and some local people indicated an alternative route which proved to be a scary dead end. We have now read that the museum is permanently closed as local people were angry about living in slums while the municipality built an architectural award winning museum. Seriously the area is desperately poor and it's not a place for tourists - we felt embarrassed in our big hire car - don't go there !!
Written December 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
enessde
Edinburgh41 contributions
We visited Red Location Museum in January 2009. It is located in the New Brighton Township in Port Elizabeth and I suspect that its location puts off people visiting. If so it is a real pity. It is a great Museum and well worth a visit if you are interested in the history of Apartheid and the struggle for freedom. The building itself has won architectural awards and the Memory Box structures inside are both innovative and effective. Both perfectly match the sombre subject matter. You can park outside with the parking watched by a security guard. - A recommended visit if you are in Port Elizabeth.
Written January 24, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rgreficce
Belo Horizonte, MG362 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
The museum is permanently closed.
Don't go!!!!!! It was closed permanently on 2012.. There are only security guards the avoid the are being vandalized.
Don't go!!!!!! It was closed permanently on 2012.. There are only security guards the avoid the are being vandalized.
Written January 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenijay
Mossel Bay, South Africa27 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
got lost trying to find this place.
it was closed and the security staff were not friendly and knew nothing of the place they were guarding.
it was closed and the security staff were not friendly and knew nothing of the place they were guarding.
Written April 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MattAfrica
62 contributions
The Muesum is closed and I was told by the staff they don't know when it will reopen. Don't waste ur time driving up. Phone 1st.
Written February 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NiamhMcc
London, UK28 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
I think this is one of the best museums I've been to. I especially like the fact that it's a living museum, so relevant to people's day to day lives. We went with Luvo Ndima from Jama Tours, he was great and took us around the township on a tour. Eye-opening and very friendly!
Written July 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurika
London, UK15 contributions
Sep 2011 • Solo
The Red Location Museum is a place that takes you back to the terrible years of apartheid. However it doesn't leave you with a feeling of hopelessness when you're done. There are stories depicted in there of survival and courage and pain and yes also hope. I can recommend this to anyone who wants to know more South Africa's history.
Written June 6, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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