Library — Hermanus History Society

Written Media

Publications

Books produced and collected by the Hermanus History Society, documenting the history of Hermanus and the Overberg.

41 publications

Hermanus A Photographic History 1855 - 1955

Jack van Dyk, Dinkie Marais, Michael Clark

A photographic history of Hermanus from 1855 to 1955, illustrated with more than 300 photographs and well-researched captions, compiled by Jack van Dyk, Dinkie Marais and Michael Clark.

History of High Street, Hermanus: 1857 - 2021

Dr Robin Lee

A history of High Street, Hermanus, tracing its development from 1857 to 2021.

The Cruel Harvest

Michael Walker

Gives an account of the anatomy and behaviour of the Southern Right Whale while examining whaling's dark history and the species' near-extinction, exploring the importance of conservation for ocean ecosystems.

Just Hermanus

Angela Heslop and John Morris (eds)

Celebrates Hermanus's uniqueness through its whales, shoreline and valley, and honours the residents who preserved the town's character.

South Africa's Yesterday

A 344-page illustrated history covering early motor cars, mining, warfare and daily life, with over 1,000 images in colour.

Tesselaarsdal

Annalize Mouton

Explores the 200-year history of a unique mixed-race community, the impact of apartheid, land ownership struggles, and contemporary challenges.

Van Riebeeck's Diary in Pictures

Frank and Margaret Purcell

A pictorial adaptation of Van Riebeeck's diary, originally published in South African newspapers.

for keeps

Dr Robin Lee

A collection of 30 articles (2013-2019) chronicling Hermanus's 150-year history, notable figures, hotels, and its transformation from fishing village to tourist destination.

Indoda Ebisithanda

Reverend James Laing

Reverend James Laing's missionary journal (1831-1836) documenting amaXhosa society and the Sixth Frontier War.

A Life in Letters

Sol T. Plaatje

Published by Historical Publications Southern Africa, part of a long-running effort to preserve Southern African historical documents.

The Cape Odyssey 103

Features Woodstock, South Africa's earliest suburb, with articles from the Woodstock Whisperer (2003-2007) plus new material about historic events.

The Forgotten Front

An illustrated account of Anglo-Boer War confrontations along the southern front, emphasising local stories and the experiences of common soldiers.

Rogues to Riches

Marius Diemont

Explores the history of Olof Bergh, a 17th-18th century Cape pioneer, and his connection to Simon van der Stel and Groot Constantia.

The Strandveld

Marius Diemont

Details the coastal region from Cape Infanta to the Klein River near Hermanus, covering its history of pioneers and shipwrecks.

Life at the Cape Over a Hundred Years Ago

Gives a day-to-day picture of life in Cape Town and its neighbouring suburbs a century ago.

Hermanus History

Nine essays examining notable visitors to Hermanus, including prime ministers, governors-general, and European aristocracy.

Robert Hart

A biography of Private Robert Hart, chronicling his 70-year life from 1795-1865 during colonial Cape history.

Sink the Birkenhead!

An account of the HMS Birkenhead wreck (1852) and Xhosa Chief Maqoma's role in planning its destruction.

Grave Encounters

Explores discovered burials in Cape Town, examining death, social class, immigration and slavery through archaeological analysis.

Dr Phillip's Empire

Tim Keegan

One Man's Struggle for Justice in Nineteenth-Century South Africa, examining colonial enterprise and humanitarian aspirations.

Dr James Barry

A Woman Ahead of Her Time, chronicling the Inspector General of Hospitals who performed the first successful caesarean in the British Empire.

Hermanus Stories 3

S.J. Du Toit

The third volume of reminiscences featuring local characters and the origins of Hermanus landmarks like De Mond and the magnetic observatory.

Hawston Tussen Berg en See

An Afrikaans history of Hawston compiled from archival sources and the oral traditions of residents.

Luyt's Marine

Berdine Luyt

A diary of World War II home front experiences at Luyt's Marine Hotel in Hermanus, serving airmen, sailors and soldiers.

In Those Days - The Story of Joey van Rhyn Luyt

A memoir detailing Joey Luyt's role at the Marine Hotel and her husband P. John's role in promoting Hermanus (1915-1947).

Noel Coward and the Marine Hotel: 1944

Explores the entertainer's Hermanus visit and connections to politicians, actors, and members of the royal family.

The Taking of the Slaver Meermin 1766

A complete archival account of the violent slave uprising aboard the Meermin in February 1766 near Cape Agulhas.

Even the Cows Were Amazed

Stories of survivors from European shipwrecks (16th-18th centuries) who undertook epic journeys and built rescue vessels.

The Cape Odyssey 105 - Wrecked at the Cape Part 2

Documents South Africa's underwater cultural heritage and more than 2,400 known shipwrecks since 1488.

The Volmoed Journey

Celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the Volmoed Community, a place for the "ministry of healing and reconciliation".

The Historical Overberg

Traces of the Past in South Africa's Southernmost Region, covering Khoi heritage, European settlement, and shipwreck history.

Hermanus Stories 1

S.J. Du Toit

A chronological account of early pioneers and younger generations in the Hermanus fishing village and town development.

Hermanus Stories 2

S.J. Du Toit

A continuation of anecdotes about Hermanus personalities, celebrities, and historical makers presented in an accessible style.

The Overberg

S.J. Du Toit

A journey through the Overberg region with anecdotes about approximately 41 towns, villages and hamlets.

Spore Oor die Overberg

S.J. Du Toit

An Afrikaans collection of stories and anecdotes about approximately 41 towns in the Overberg region.

Stanford Stories I

S.J. Du Toit and Muriel du Toit

A collection of stories and history of Stanford village, recording its origins and community for posterity.

Stanford Stories II

S.J. Du Toit

A continuation covering 270 years of the Stanford chronicle, with accounts of families and tribal life in the valley.

Boontjieskraal: The Story of a Farm and its People

A history of the white-walled N2 landmark farm, its agricultural development, and the De Wet clan from their arrival from the Netherlands.

Looking for Mrs Livingstone

Julie Davidson

A biography of Mary Livingstone, focusing on the explorer's wife, her African upbringing, and her expedition experiences.

History of Hawston in English

An English translation of "Hawston: Tussen Berg en See", launched at a 2014 Hermanus History Society members meeting.

Murderers, Miscreants and Mutineers: Early Cape Characters

Professor Nigel Worden

Historical narratives from criminal cases (1700-1820) in the Cape archives, illuminating social history, sex, and violence.

HHIG Library

Lending Library

Download list (CSV)

The HHIG maintains a lending library of 97 books on the history of Hermanus and the Overberg, available to U3A Overberg members.

97 books

No.	Author	Title	Year	Subject / Topics
103	A Lady	Life at the Cape more than a hundred years ago	1998	Cape of Good Hope – Social life; Cape Town – History
1, 118	Alheit, W.A.	N.G. Gemeente Hermanus, 1934–1984	1984	Church history – Hermanus; Dutch Reformed Church – History
84	Allen, Dean	Empire, War & Cricket in South Africa	2015	Cricket; Matjiesfontein; Empire history
72	Annandale, John	Catalina flying boat base at the Bot River Lagoon, 1943–1945	2001	World War II; Royal Air Force; Overberg; Flying boats
2, 74	Annandale, John	Ella Gordon & her 'trick horses' at Karwyderskraal, 1873–1958	2005	Gordon, Ella – Biography; Karwyderskraal – History
5, 6	Annandale, John	Hemel & Aarde and the leper colony	1998	Hemel-en-Aarde Valley – History; Moravian Mission; Leprosy
3, 4, 73	Annandale, John	Onrus River: 100 year centenary, 10th July 1903–2004	2004	Onrus River – History
7	Annandale, Margaret	The Ella Gordon story, 1873–1958 & Karwyderskraal	n.d.	Gordon, Ella – Biography; Karwyderskraal – History
71	Athiros, Gabriel	Wrecked at the Cape, part 2	2015	Shipwrecks – Cape of Good Hope
119	Buchanan, Susan	Burchell's travels: the life, art and journeys of William John Burchell	2015	Burchell, William John – Biography; 19th century travellers
10, 11	Burman, Jose	Hermanus: a guide to the "Riviera of the South"	1989	Hermanus – History; Hermanus – Guide
8	Burrows, Edmund H.	Overberg odyssey: people, roads and early days	1994	Overberg – History
9	Burrows, Edmund H.	Overberg outspan: a chronicle of people and places in the South Western districts	1988	Overberg – History
12	Camphill Farm Community	Camphill Farm Community, Hermanus, 1978–2008	2008	Camphill Farm Community – Hermanus – History
13	Davidson, Julie	Looking for Mrs Livingstone	2013	Livingstone, Mary – Biography; Livingstone, David – Biography
14, 15	De Gruchy, John	The Volmoed journey: meditations, readings and prayers	2006	Volmoed Community – Hemel-en-Aarde Valley – History
107	De Jongh, Michael	The forgotten front: untold stories of the Anglo-Boer War in the Karoo	2018	South African War 1899–1902; Colesberg – History
16	De Wet, Doreza	Boontjieskraal: die storie van 'n plaas en sy mense	2013	De Wet family; Farms – Overberg; Afrikaans
101	Dekker, Nicholas	Sink the Birkenhead!	2012	Shipwrecks – Overberg; H.M. Troopship Birkenhead
96	Diemont, Marius	By hook or by cook: fishing tales and braai fires	2013	Fishing stories – South Africa; Seafood recipes
104	Diemont, Marius	Rogues to riches: the fortunes of Olof Bergh and the Van der Stels	2012	Cape of Good Hope – Biography; Pioneers; Shipwrecks
17, 105	Diemont, Marius	The Strandveld: Africa's foot of isolation	2010	Strandveld – History; Overberg – History
121	Du Preez, Michael	Dr James Barry: a woman ahead of her time	2016	Barry, James 1795–1865 – Biography; Physicians – South Africa
18	Du Toit, S.J.	Die du Toit's van Kleinrivier: herinneringe van die twaalf	2010	Du Toit family – Kleinrivier – Memoirs; Afrikaans
19, 20, 44	Du Toit, S.J.	Hermanus stories I (1724–2001)	2001	Hermanus – History; Hermanus – Anecdotes
46, 47	Du Toit, S.J.	Hermanus stories II	2002	Hermanus – History; Hermanus – Social life
21, 22, 45	Du Toit, S.J.	Hermanus stories III	2007	Hermanus – History; Hermanus – Social life
23	Du Toit, S.J.	New life for the old home of Sir Robert Stanford	n.d.	Stanford – Architecture; Stanford, Robert – Homes
26	Du Toit, S.J.	Stanford stories	1995	Stanford – History; Afrikaans and English
27	Du Toit, S.J.	Stanford stories II: anniversary edition	2000	Stanford – History
24, 25	Du Toit, S.J.	The Overberg: stories of towns, villages and hamlets	2005	Overberg – History; Overberg – Anecdotes
28–31	Du Toit, S.J.	Whale capital chronicles I	2004	Hermanus – Social life; Hermanus – History
32–34	Du Toit, S.J.	Whale capital chronicles II	2007	Hermanus – Social life; Hermanus – History
92	Fontein, Bart	Klein Langefontein: never a dull moment	2017	Bredasdorp – Buildings – Renovations
98	Fourie, Jan	Gansbaai: 'n besondere streek en sy mense	2016	Gansbaai – History; Afrikaans
35	Fransen, Hans	The new amidst the old: building in the Klein Karoo	2006	Klein Karoo – Architecture
39	Hermanus Golf Club	Hermanus Golf Club: centenary album, 1907–2007	2007	Hermanus Golf Club – History; Sport – Hermanus
99	Hilton-Barber, David	Robert Hart: the first English-speaking settler in South Africa	2018	Hart, Robert 1777–1867; British Settlers of 1820; Cape of Good Hope – History
38	Hilton-Barber, David	The Saint, the Surgeon and the Unsung Botanist	2013	Social, political and economic history; Cape – 19th century
86	Hoërskool Hermanus	Hoërskool Hermanus High School, 75: 1941–2016	2016	Hermanus High School – History
88	Howard, Leslie	Overberg tapestry	2004	Overberg – History; Overberg – Social life
91	Hugo, Judy	Our family: Daneel – Graaff – Nettlefold – Coates	2013	Daneel family; Graaff family; Nettlefold family; Coates family
97	Hunt, Beth	Hermanus	2008	Hermanus – History; Hermanus – Geography
87	Kaplan Centre	The Jews of District 6: another time, another place	2012	Jews – Cape Town – District Six; Jews – South Africa – History
100	Keegan, Tim	Dr Philip's empire: one man's struggle for justice	2016	Missionaries – South Africa – 19th century; Philip, John – Biography
93	Kerr, J. Lennox	The unfortunate ship: the story of H.M. Troopship Birkenhead	1960	H.M. Troopship Birkenhead; Shipwrecks – Overberg
94	Kollenberg, Adrienne	Jewish life in the South African country communities, vol. III	2007	Jews – Eastern Cape; Jews – Western Cape; Overberg
41	Krüger, B.	The pear tree bears fruit: the history of the Moravian church in South Africa-West (II) 1869–1960	1984	Moravian Church – South Africa – History
40	Krüger, Bernhard	The pear tree blossoms: a history of the Moravian Mission stations in South Africa, 1737–1869	1966	Moravian Church – South Africa – History; Mission stations
56	Lean, Phyllis Scarnell	One man in his time: a pictorial review of the life of Jan Christian Smuts	1995	Smuts, Jan Christian 1870–1950 – Biography
111	Lee, Robin	For keeps: articles on Hermanus history — worth keeping	2019	Hermanus – History; Hermanus – Social life
108	Lee, Robin	Hermanus history: people and events that touched our town, 1890 to 2018	2019	Hermanus – History; Hermanus – Social life
43	Lee, Robin	Noel Coward and the Marine Hotel, 1944	2015	Coward, Noel; Marine Hotel Hermanus; World War II entertainment
42	Luyt, Berdine	In those days: the story of Joey van Rhyn Luyt	2014	Luyt, Joey 1894–1985 – Biography; Marine Hotel Hermanus
75	Luyt, Berdine	Luyt's Marine: a diary of the years 1942–1947	2015	Hermanus – History; Marine Hotel Hermanus
83	Luyt, Berdine	Werner Hinder's white elephant: a diary of the Marine Hotel 1971–1973	2015	Marine Hotel Hermanus – Anecdotes
102	Malan, Antonia	Grave encounters: archaeology of the burial grounds, Green Point	2017	Burial – Cape Town – Green Point; Cemeteries; Archaeology
48, 49	Maree, Doris	Hawston tussen berg en see	2003	Hawston – History; Hawston – Social life; Afrikaans
50	Maree, Doris	Hawston: between mountain and sea	2013	Hawston – History; Hawston – Social life
51	McCann, Gerald	Die geskiedenis van Botrivier en die ou Kaapse Wagenweg	2012	Botrivier – History; Transport – Overberg; Afrikaans
52, 53	McCann, Gerald	The history of Botrivier and the old Cape Wagon Way	2012	Botrivier – History; Transport – Overberg
54	Mda, Zakes	The whale caller	2006	Hermanus in fiction; Novel
81	Menache, Philippe	Church tourism in South Africa: a travel odyssey	2015	Church buildings – South Africa; Photographs
112	Mouton, Annalize	Tesselaarsdal: a bend in the road	2019	Tesselaarsdal – History; Overberg – Social life
110	Museums of the Cape	Museums of the Cape: a guide to the Province-aided museums	1982	Museums – Cape of Good Hope
55	Nunn, Tony	Graaff-Reinet: an illustrated historical guide	2008	Graaff-Reinet – History
120	Ölen, Eugenie	The history of Onrus River from about 1750–1950	1980	Onrus River – History
57	Pearson, Simon	The great escaper: the life and death of Roger Bushell	2013	Bushell, Roger 1910–1944 – Biography; World War II – Escapes
78	Penn, Nigel	Murderers, Miscreants and Mutineers	2015	History – Early Colonial Cape; Cape lives
109	Phillips, Howard	In a time of plague: memories of the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918	2018	Influenza Epidemic 1918–1919 – South Africa
58	Prozesky, August	Hope Farm: mission stories from South Africa	1999	Missions – South Africa; Königsberg Mission Station – KwaZulu-Natal
116	Purcell, Frank	Van Riebeeck's diary in pictures	n.d.	Riebeeck, Jan van 1619–1677 – Diary; Cape of Good Hope – History 1652–1662
106	Racster, Olga	The journal of Dr James Barry	1932	Barry, James 1795–1865 – Fiction; Surgeons – South Africa
85	Rust, Winnie	Martha: a story about the black Countess of Stamford	2010	Stamford, Martha Grey, Countess of 1838–1916 – Historical fiction
59	Scheffler, Helena	Hemel en Aarde: portion 49 (Willems Hof), 1739–1998	1998	Hemel-en-Aarde Valley – Land owners; Hemel-en-Aarde Valley – Cultural history
80	Schoeman, Chris	The historical Karoo	2013	Karoo – History; Karoo – Description and travel
82	Schoeman, Chris	The Historical Overberg	2017	Overberg – History; Overberg – Social history
60	Schreiner, Olive	Thoughts on South Africa	n.d.	South Africa – Social history – 19th century; Schreiner, Olive
63	Scott, Ann	The Overberg explorer: a guide for environment-orientated travel	2001	Overberg – Description and travel
113	Shell, Sandra Rowoldt	Indoda Ebisithanda: the Reverend James Laing among the amaXhosa, 1831–1836	2019	Laing, James 1803–1872 – Diaries; Missionaries – Eastern Cape
61	Simons, Phillida Brooke	Apples of the sun: the lives and achievements of the Molteno brothers	1999	Molteno Brothers; Farming – Western Cape – Elgin
90	Skinner, Donald	Apartheid's violent legacy: a report on trauma in the Western Cape	1998	Apartheid – Western Cape; Trauma – South Africa
64	Sleigh, Dan	The taking of the slaver Meermin, 1766	2013	Slaves – Sea transport – 18th century; Meermin – History; Shipwrecks – Cape Agulhas
62	Slingsby, Peter	Fynbos Coast: Betty's Bay, Kleinmond, Pringle Bay, Rooiels	2001	Betty's Bay; Kleinmond; Pringle Bay; Rooiels – Description and travel
79	Steyn, Willie	The great Boer escape	2015	South African War 1899–1902 – Personal narratives; Prisoners of war; Escapes – Colombo
65	Tredgold, Arderne	Village of the sea: the story of Hermanus (2nd ed.)	1980	Hermanus – History
66	Tredgold, Arderne	Village of the sea: the story of Hermanus (4th ed.)	1997	Hermanus – History
117	Various	South Africa's yesterdays	1981	South Africa – History; South Africa – Social life and customs
67	Vernacular Architecture Society of SA	Vernacular Architecture Society of SA: 50th anniversary, 1964–2014	2014	Architecture – South Africa; Folk buildings – South Africa
68	Vernon, Gillian	Even the cows were amazed: shipwreck survivors in South-East Africa, 1552–1782	2013	Shipwrecks – South Africa, 16th–18th century; Indigenous peoples
89	Walker, Michael	Muizenberg: a forgotten story	2009	Muizenberg – History
69	Walker, Michael	Simon's Town: the historical mile walk	n.d.	Simon's Town – Description and travel
115	Walker, Michael	The cruel harvest: the southern right whale and the history of False Bay whaling, 1792–1932	2018	Whaling – False Bay – History; Southern Right whales
70, 77	Whittaker, Bea	Historical Stanford on foot	2011	Stanford – History; Stanford – Description and travel
114	Willan, Brian	Sol T. Plaatje: a life in letters	2020	Plaatje, Sol T. 1876–1932 – Correspondence; South Africa – Politics 1876–1932
36, 37	Williams, Alexander	Wendy the whale: a children's tale	2011	Hermanus – Children's books; Hermanus – Legends
95	Yeowart, William	The diaries of Sapper Robert Poole	2017	Boer War 1899–1902 – Personal narratives; Soldiers – Diaries