Learning about local history through pictures

In this lesson we will investigate the history of different local areas and local events using these different sources.

Let’s see if you can guess which local area we will be investigating using pictures. Here are our clues:

1. It is a street in Cape Town.

2. It is famous for its flowers.

3. It starts with the letter A.

If you guessed Adderley Street you were right. Well Done!

1. Investigating Adderley Street: PICTURES

Pictures are a great source to use to learn about history. Did you know that a picture says a 1000 words; what a lot of clues to the past that is! Pictures can show us how the past used to look like. It can show how the buildings, fashion and even the transport used in the past.

Below are two examples of using images to learn about history

Source: Adderley Street in 1910

1 Adderley Street

is one of the most historically significant streets in Cape Town. The street was named after Charles B Adderley, a member of British Parliament who fought against the British appeal to turn Cape Town into a convict colony or place for prisoners to be sent.

On 13 October 1881, Adderley Street got its first electric lights.Today the street is very popular place for tourists to visit. It is also close to other historical places like the Old Slave Lodge Museum, Groote Kerk (the oldest church in South Africa) and the Company Gardens. It has also been home to flower sellers for over 100 years.

During Christmas time, the street comes alive with decorative Christmas lights that locals and tourists love to come and see.

Below are two pictures of Adderley Street during the festive season

The above images show Adderley Street during two different periods of time. Take a look history detectives and investigate each picture. Try to answer the questions below:

• What do you see in each picture?

• When was each of the pictures taken?

• How can you tell which picture is the oldest and the newest?  

• Describe what is happening in each picture.

• What do you notice about the people in each picture?

• What differences do you notice about the pictures: clothing, technology etc.?

• Have you ever been to Adderley Street during the festive season?

Let’s try to put our new skill of using pictures as a SOURCE to the test!

2. Cape Town cycle tour

The Cape Town Cycle Tour (formerly known as the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour) first took place in 1978, and only with 525 participants. Currently the event attracts cyclists from all over the world and is the largest individually timed cycling event in the world.

Once again investigate these pictures and try to answer the questions below:

• What do you see in each picture?

• When were each of the pictures taken?

• How can you tell which picture is the oldest and the newest?  

• Describe what is happening in each picture.

• What do you notice about the people in each picture?

• What differences do you notice about the pictures: clothing, technology etc?

• Have you ever been to the Cape Town cycle tour and seen the cyclists, or do you know anyone who has participated?