An ode to the rich history of Mauritius
Located in a stone building that once housed the headquarters of the New Mauritius Docks Company, the Blue Penny Museum invites you to delve into the history of Mauritius. Its maps and navigation instruments from the 16th to the 19th century, its colonial-era archives, and artworks are an invitation to travel back in time and follow in the footsteps of the explorers who left their mark on the country.
This history museum is renowned for its prestigious collections, including the famous Blue Penny stamps (which gave it its name). It attracts philatelists from around the world every year. It is one of the few sites on the island that provides a captivating glimpse into the history of Mauritius, making it an essential stop to get to know the country.
A private collection made public
The Blue Penny Museum is a multidisciplinary museum that houses a vast collection with more than one treasure for history buffs to discover.
For example, did you know that its array of ancient maps, archives, books, and artworks comes from the private collection of the Mauritius Commercial Bank? The bank has invested in historical pieces for several decades to make Mauritius’ cultural heritage accessible to a broader audience.
This incredible collection is a testament to the country’s history. It showcases the cultural and historical richness of the island, making it a source of pride for all Mauritians!
Collection Pieces with international renown
The Blue Penny Museum is known worldwide due to the unique treasures that art enthusiasts and collectors come to admire.
Among them is one of only four copies of the “Post Office”, a two-pence blue indigo stamp issued in Mauritius in 1847. Of legendary rarity, this stamp, along with its vermilion one-penny companion, is a source of pride and international recognition for the country. They are the very first stamps of the British Empire to be issued outside of Great Britain. Today, it is said that their value would amount to millions of dollars. Thus, the museum’s most precious treasure is also its smallest!
In addition to these invaluable pieces, the Blue Penny Museum exhibits a famous sculpture of Paul and Virginie, created in 1881 by Prosper d’Epinay. Carved from a single block of marble, this magnificent statue depicts a scene from the literary work where Paul helps Virginie cross a stream. Lastly, the museum holds another piece worth the price of admission alone: the superb navigational map created by the scientist Lislet Geoffroy in the late 18th century, representing Mauritius and Reunion. It is a masterpiece that takes us back to the origins of cartography.
Thematic exhibitions at the Blue Penny Museum
To showcase its impressive collection, the museum regularly organises carefully curated thematic exhibitions, showcasing topics such as the poet Charles Baudelaire’s prolific passage in Mauritius, enchanting animals from giant tortoises to dugongs, Mauritian football or Port-Louis in 1882, and more. Whether they deal with subjects fundamental to our identity or interesting trivia found in our past, the exhibitions held at the Blue Penny Museum all have one common objective: to shed light on the island’s past and culture.
