Wander the World: Fish Hoek Valley Museum

In this episode of 'Lunch with Pippa Hudson,' host Pippa Hudson explores the Fishhook Valley Museum, a small but richly detailed local history museum located in Central Circle, Fishhook, South Peninsula. The museum, established in 1994 and run entirely by volunteers, tells the story of the Fishhook Valley from prehistoric times to the present, with a special focus on Piers Cave—a site of immense archaeological significance dating back over 200,000 years. Curator Sue Maud shares the museum’s unique collections, including whale bones from the area’s whaling past, stone tools from the cave, and vintage kitchen gadgets and telephones that delight modern visitors. A highlight of the episode is the museum’s new virtual reality 3D experience, developed in partnership with Digital Heritage Africa at UCT, which digitally restores and enhances the faded rock art in Piers Cave, allowing remote audiences to explore its history in vivid detail. The episode underscores the museum’s role as a community-driven archive and educational hub, preserving local heritage and welcoming researchers, families, and history enthusiasts alike.