1820 Settlers Monument

Also referred to as the 1820 Settlers National Monument, this is a memorial with a purpose. It is managed by the Grahamstown Foundation.

The Monument was built to commemorate the contributions made by English-speaking settlers to South Africa. It is unlike any other monument because, since its opening on 13 July 1974, this superbly equipped building has been a centre of creative thought and activity. It has several venues, making it an ideal multi-purpose destination for conferences, conventions and festivals. These include the Fountain Court, the Guy Butler Theatre, the Council Chamber, the Thomas Pringle Hall, Ntsikana Gallery, Atherstone Room and Yellowwood Terrace, the Olive Schreiner Hall, the Visitors Lounge and the Monument Restaurant.

The Monument has become a meeting place for all South Africans and the core site of the Grahamstown Festival. It was built to commemorate a worthy heritage and to encourage us to look forward with hope. Amid reminders of the past, the building provides facilities for use by all South Africans, in particular activities which encourage the ideals of freedom of speech, social interaction and the use of English as a contact language.

This concept of a living Monument led to the establishment of highly successful educational and cultural projects, including the world-renowned National Arts Festival or Grahamstown Festival. The Monument is now used by well over 200 000 people a year from all South African groups.