Collection of pictures of old George saved from landing on the dump

GEORGE NEWS - A lovely collection of photographs of what George looked like about 150 years ago, would have been lost to posterity, had it not been for a heritage-conscious person who saved them from being dumped at the George refuse site.

The pictures, very large in size, used to adorn the walls of the York Park building (‘Glass Palace’) in York Street where the South African Revenue Services’ (Sars) local office was situated for many years before it moved to its current premises at Eden Park.

They are historical photographs of George which had been sourced from the George Museum and blown up, half of them being over one metre wide and the rest just short of a metre.

According to a local historian, who wishes to remain anonymous, when Sars vacated the York Street offices in around 2016 to move to Eden Park, the photographs were not put up in the new premises. They went into storage, and after a few years, were seemingly forgotten.

Then in June 2025, the size of the Sars offices was being reduced and contract builders of a new tenant that moved into the previously occupied space, opened a padlocked garage filled with the old pictures.

“The pictures were then unceremoniously dumped into a nearby carport regardless of an imminent rainstorm. They were badly handled and battered. Frames were broken or varnish knocked off; glass was missing or cracked from side to side or had minor cracks at the corners,” says the historian.

“Sars had no use for the pictures, which were loaded onto a trailer bound for the refuse dump, but a heritage-minded soul thought of calling the George Museum and the pictures were rescued and revived. They are now back home at the museum and grace the walls of the lecture room.”

Nostalgic old Georgians or recent new residents and visitors will find a visit to the George Museum well worthwhile, especially over the holidays. Be sure to pop into the lecture room to view the collection.

Sars has been approached for comment.

The photos are hanging in the lecture room.