Contact Artefacts please if you have any comments or more information regarding this record.	Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon		Prince Alfred's Guard Drill Hall Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape Charles STOREY: Architect ? WILSON: Architect George Dix PEEK: Architect

Date: 1882 Type: Drill Hall Status: Extant   Click to view map Coordinates: 33°57'48.37" S 25°37'15.05" E

Designed by Storey and Wilson "of the Railway Dept." who "gave their services free of charge". The later additions were made by George Dix Peek. Picton-Seymour 1977:185, incorrectly ascribes the building to SMITH & DEWER. Opened in 1882 (1881 on gable, Richardson has opening date as 1880), this historic building has been the headquarters of the Prince Alfred's Guard ever since, and is now also a museum. Unlike other South African units which, until the proclamation of the Republic, may have had bestowed upon them titles linked with royalty, the designation 'Prince Alfred's Guard' sprang from a duty performed by the unit when it provided a special escort for Prince Alfred during his visit to Port Elizabeth in 1860. (Richardson 2001) Wording on notice board ______________ THE DRILL HALL This is the headquarters of Prince Alfred’s Guard, Port Elizabeth’s volunteer regiment formed in 1895. The Drill Hall was opened in 1882 and the first floor added in 1893. The adjoining land was once the parade ground. In addition to its military function, the Hall has been the scene of balls and theatrical productions and has also been used as a roller skating rink and hospital. Books and articles that reference Prince Alfred's Guard Drill Hall Picton-Seymour, Désirée. 1977. Victorian Buildings in South Africa. Cape Town: AA Balkema. pg 185, 187 ill, 188 ill, 189 ill Richardson, Deirdré. 2001. Historic Sites of South Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. pg 39