A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BUILDING

In the 1850’s Port Elizabeth saw a great increase in the need and desire for higher educations; and thus the institutes of higher educations. Sir George Grey, the Governor took it upon himself to encourage the establishment of such institutions. In 1856 Mr Archibald was appointed to draw up the plans for the Grey Institute and by 1858 the school was completed and ready for occupation. The school was named in honour of the Governor, Sir George Grey for his tremendous contribution towards the educational system in Port Elizabeth. The school was formally opened in 1859. The main feature of the building, the clock tower was only added in 1875. By 1915 the school body had grown too large for the facilities; the Grey high school was moved to new facilities and the Old Grey Institute became the Pearson High School, then the Albert Jackson Primary School (Grey Institute 2011: 1). The Old Grey Institute was acknowledged as a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 10 December 1976 (Grey Institute School 2010: 2).