Gayer-Anderson Museum Hosts 80th Anniversary Exhibition

In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Gayer-Anderson Museum in Sayeda Zeinab, the museum will hold an exhibit to showcase its unique history until July 27th.

In 1907, British Major Robert Grenville 'John' Gayer-Anderson - who eventually became known as 'The Irish Pasha' - was deployed to Egypt as a military doctor. Over the decades, Gayer-Anderson became fascinated by a pair of twin buildings, one of which is known as ‘Beit al-Krittliya’ (or ‘House of the Cretan Woman’, after one of its previous owners). The houses date back to the 16th or 17th century, and were gorgeous reflections of the Mamluk era.

In 1935, Gayer-Anderson submitted a request to the Assembly of Preserving Arab Antiquities to buy the houses and finance their refurbishment. The Assembly agreed on the condition that Gayer-Anderson would donate the houses and the collection within them to the Egyptian government after his death, or if he chose to leave Egypt.

The exhibition features a collection of Gayer-Anderson's personal belongings, including writing tools and personal photographs of him and his family. It also showcases documents related to Anderson's residency, which include his correspondence with the Egyptian government to acquire the house, his proposals to transform it into a museum, and the document granting him an honorary rank of general.

The museum will also host educational and artistic workshops, covering topics such as recycling and fabric printing.