Dating back to 1830, the officer's mess is one of the oldest buildings in Fort Beaufort. After the Wars of Land Dispossession, the building was converted and became the Fort Beaufort Secondary School. In 1938 it was handed over to the Municipality by the commission for the Preservation of Natural and Historical Monuments, Relics and Antiques. Fort Beaufort Museum offers an overview of local culture, ranging from the area's military history to Xhosa arts and craft.