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CP Nel Museum
Copyright South African Tourism
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Oudtshoorn is called the feather capital of the world. Oudtshoorn is synonymous with ostriches. Get exposed to the largest and most exotic non-flying bird in the world. Visit one of the ostrich farms and try your hand at riding one. The region was settled in the early 19th century, and the town was proclaimed in 1863. Oudtshoorns development is closely linked to the ostrich feather boom. Before the first world war feathers were highly fashionable for ladies hats and clothing in Europe and the USA. The ostrich farmers around Oudtshoorn came to be known as the feather barons. A male ostrich would yield 10 kg of feathers a year and they commanded incredible prices. At the height of the boom before the first world war there were more than 700.000 ostriches in the region. Great mansions and villas were built by the feather barons that can still be seen today. Some of them function as hotels and guest houses. After the war feathers became unfashionable and have never recovered their position.
Today the industry has recovered as the complete bird is marketed. Feathers are used for fashion and dusters; the popular skins are used for handbags, shoes, suitcases, bags and wallets. The CP Nel Museum is a striking sandstone building, completed in 1907 in the height of the boom. Extensive displays of the history of Oudtshoorn, the feather boom and the history of the Karoo are shown. There is a reconstructed grocery shop and a rural synagogue.
Tip: The CP Nel museum is very interesting.
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