South Georgia Museum

The Grytviken "Villa", which houses the museum, was originally the whaling station manager's house, built in 1916 by the Norwegians. The museum was established in 1992 as a whaling museum. Its scope now embraces the island's heritage and includes most aspects of South Georgia's history and natural history, as well as items of current interest.

Exhibits include discovery, exploration, Shackleton, surveying and mountaineering expeditions, sealing in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the first decade of whaling, techniques of modern whaling in the middle part of the 20th century, whalers' social life maritime history, and natural history. Displays also cover the 1982 conflict and subsequent British military presence until 2001. Another includes a working steam pump with items from the blacksmith's workshop and foundry.

Funding for the museum is largely achieved through support from South Georgia government and from generous donations by visitors. South Georgia Heritage Trust took over the management of the museum in July 2006. In November 2006 Tim and Pauline Carr left the museum which had been their home for fourteen years, during which time they built up the diverse collection and turned the museum shop into a thriving business.

During the past ten years the museum has developed into a valuable resource. With an increasing number of visitors and growing interest in South Georgia's heritage, the museum fulfils an important role for the island's future.

See a full description of the museum's catalogued artefacts and a video tour of some of the exhibition rooms in South Georgia museum with narration by Niall Cooper on the new South Georgia museum website.

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