Koopmans de Wet House Museum, Cape Town, SA
S 33° 55.252 E 018° 25.282
34H E 261617 N 6243623
This history museum features the artifacts of a well-to-do late 18th Century Cape Town family, including a priceless collection of ceramics. It is a Provincial Heritage Site.
Waymark Code: WMJ5PW
Location: Western Cape, South Africa
Date Posted: 09/28/2013
Views: 2
This facility first opened as a museum on March 10, 1914; it is reported to be the first private townhouse in South Africa that opened to the public. The home was owned by about 14 different people before the Koopmans-De Wet family acquired it in 1806, and it then remained in their family for just over 100 years (they were the last private owners before it became a museum). When Marie Koopmans-de Wet and her sister Margaritha died, the home was transformed into a museum, and is advertised as the oldest "house museum" in South Africa. It is named after Marie Koopmans-de Wet, to honor her for her help to the orphans and widows of the Boer republics.
Furniture in the museum dates to the 1700s, and includes some furniture that was locally made (of stinkwood) and imported (of teak wood). Each room displays the items that were owned by the well-to-do Koopmans de Wet family (who were known for their hospitality and charity work). Furnishings include miniature collections, ceramics, a chandelier that dates to 1780 (one of a set made for the Lutheran Church in Strand Street, and built by Mark Melck (Marie Koopmans-de Wet's great grandfather). There is a music room with spiral friezes and a medallaion painted above the fireplace, and a square piano that dates to 1830s. There are paintings and other artwork that date from the 1700s.
Theme:
History of late 18th Century Cape Town.
Street Address:
35 Strand Street, Cape Town, South Africa
Food Court: no
Gift Shop: no
Hours of Operation:
Open Monday-Friday 10:00-17:00
Closed Saturday, Sunday, Worker's Day and Christmas Day
Cost: 20.00 (listed in local currency)
Museum Size: Medium
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
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