The Transvaal Museum (or Natural history museum of Transvaal ) was created on February 1st 1892. Its creation can be allotted to the Secretary of State of the Republic of the Transvaal, Willem Johannes Leyds (1859-1940). The Natural history museum was initially located in a small part of the South-African Parliament. Its objectives were to carry out collections of objects of the populations autochtones, to gather specimens of animals, plants, fossils, minerals as well as elements relating to the history of the European colony, in particular of the Boer S and Voortrekker S.

Its collections increasing unceasingly, in particular thanks to donations, the natural history museum requires in 1893 a larger space. In April 1897, Jan Willem Bowdewyn Gunning (1860-1913) becomes the first director of the natural history museum. Thanks to its relations with the other natural history musea of South Africa, the natural history museum of Transvaal rather quickly enriches its collections by Zoologie and establishes bonds with other institutions in Europe. In January 1898, a Zoological garden is inaugurated with only some animals. A new building is put in building site in 1899 but its construction is stopped by the Guerre of Boers. It is only in 1912, that the natural history museum moves into its new building.

Into 1964, the natural history museum is divided into two institutions, one devoted to the natural history and the other with the ethnology and the history. In 1999, it amalgamates with the National Farming History Museum of Pretoria and the South African National Museum for Military History of Johannesburg to form the Northern Flagship Institution.

The natural history museum is located Paul Kruger Street, between Visagie and Minnaar Streets, contrary to Pretoria City Hall. It is opening of 9:00 to 17:00 of the Monday to Saturday and 11:00 to 17:00 Sunday.

Source

• Official site of the Natural history museum of Transvaal