Malindi Museum Society of Kenya - Brief introduction
The Malindi Museum Society (MMS) was registered as a Society in 1993 with over 120 founding members to support National Museums of Kenya (NMK) policy to eventually acquire the Malindi District Officers building for the Malindi Museum - one of the oldest buildings in Malindi.
It was gazetted as a National Monument in 1991 in the hope that it would be vacated by the District Officer and renovated as the permanent home of the Malindi Museum.
The government recently built new offices for the D.O. and his staff where they have now relocated.
Meanwhile the museum has been housed in another historical but smaller building - The House of Columns.
The old D.O.’s office and it's grounds are in the process of renovation. Some of the exhibits have been relocated, but the museum has not yet officially been opened pending further funding.
Our Mission
- To promote the establishment of a museum for Malindi and to raise funds for the support and establishment of this museum and other historical sites in Malindi district in collaboration with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK).
- To encourage and financially assist the study of natural history, geography, geology, anthropology, and ethnography of the Malindi area and the Kenya Coast, and to promote the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage.
- To organize educational, informative and entertaining lectures and field trips for members in support of the above, to print/publish relevant material and to keep members informed with occasional newsletters.
Malindi Museum Society Achievements
In collaboration with the National Museums of Kenya and other partners, the Malindi Museum Society has assisted in the following:- Establishment and future expansion of the Webb Memorial Library.
- Securing the historical site of the Malindi District Officer’s building as the permanent home of the Malindi Museum and fund raising for its restoration.
- Organizing the 500th year Anniversary Celebrations in 1998 of the landing of Vasco da Gama, whilst encouraging the participation of the Portuguese Government to link with NMK in the cleaning and restoration of the Vasco da Gama Monument.
- Partnering with the Society of Jesuit Priests and the Malindi Horticultural Society in renovation of the Saint Francis Xavier Chapel and adjoining cemetery.
- Working with private owners to save and /or renovate historic buildings for the benefit of future generations, local history and tourism.
- Aiding NMK with publicity for the annual Malindi Cultural Festival.
- MMS joined with Rotary Club of Malindi to raise funds for renovation of the Henry the Navigator Monument for its 50th Anniversary commemoration ceremonies in 2010.
The History in Malindi
The earliest reliable reference to Malindi known to date was written sometime in the early 1300’s by Abu-al-Fida, an Arab. Subsequent visits by Chinese, and then mainly Portuguese explorers and merchants helped to establish a thriving community in Malindi. As work began in 1593 on Fort Jesus in Mombasa, the town began to decline. By 1846 it was completely overgrown with vegetation. Re-founded in 1861 by the Sultan of Zanzibar, Malindi continued on to become the town of today. A detailed timeline and other historical facts can be found in the MMS booklet for sale at the House of Columns or MMS office
Old D.O.’S Office
This impressive building was constructed between 1890-1893 by the Imperial British East Africa Company which administered the Coastal strip for the Sultan of Zanzibar. Read more here..The House of Columns
Believed to have been built by local traders Abdulhusein Gulamhusein and Co and photographic evidence shows that it already existed in 1891. Read more here..Portuguese Chapel and Cemetery
The chapel and cemetery are thought to be part of the Portuguese settlement in Malindi from 1500 to 1593. In 1542 St. Francis Xavier en route to Goa, landed in Malindi to bury a seaman and so his name became associated with the chapel. The Portuguese had first arrived in Malindi in 1498 and after they left in 1593 the history of the chapel remained obscure for the next 300 years. Read more here..Vasco Da Gamma Pillar and Cross
In 1497 King Dom Manuel of Portugal appointed Vasco da Gama to command a fleet of 4 ships to proceed to India via the east coast of Africa. The fleet anchored off Malindi on Easter Sunday, 15th April, 1498 and stayed for 9 days. On his return voyage in 1499 he decided to erect a pillar and cross on the high ground near the Sultans Palace. Read more here..Prince Henry the Navigator Monument
This monument was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the death of Prince Henry (1394 – 1460) son of King Joao and Queen Phillipa of Portugal. He founded a school of oceanic navigation and ship-building techniques in Portugal in 1419. Read more here..
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