RE-THINKING HERMANUS HISTORY: 
ECONOMIC GROWTH IN A UNIQUE SOUTH AFRICAN TOWN
PRESENTED BY ROBIN LEE

MONDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2018
VENUE: CATHOLIC CHURCH HALL
TIME: 16.00 (REFRESHMENTS FROM 15.30)

You don’t hate history, you hate the way it was taught to you in high school (Stephen Ambrose)

Historians and readers of history have thrown out many of the cherished beliefs of the past regarding the writing of history. The most important belief that has been junked is the idea that there is one or a correct or ‘the’ history of a time or place. Rather, there are histories, multiple interpretations depending on new information and the perspective of the historian.

Eleven formal, written accounts of the past of our town have been identified. Most of them are based on a view of history as ‘stories’: that is, personal, individual and specific experiences. There is no problem with this. It is a valid form of history.

This presentation focus attention on an element of society that underpins all the stories: the economic element. Looking at Hermanus history as a whole, we can identify ten phases of economic activity that place the town in local and international history.

That process will be explained, with many examples. The presentation will be illustrated by many historical images from the amazing photographic resource that exists in our town. When a history book contains no lies, it is tedious (Anatole France)

Visitors, guests and non-members: R20