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 THE
PRISON
Male and female prisoners, black and white, were originally imprisoned
in this building.
During the early years of this century, a separate
prison for female prisoners was erected next to the main building behind
the warden's house, and only male prisoners were then kept in the present
museum building. The first cell to the left and right of the corridor
were then reserved for white prisoners.
The cells were left in the condition they were in
when the prison closed and arranged exactly as they were then. The
water can's, slop-buckets and dinnerware were actually used by prisoners
in this prison.
Sleeping mats were used instead of beds. The blankets
and towels had to be folded in a specific way and those exhibited here
were correctly folded for us by warden's.
CORRIDOR
The variation board in the corridor clearly shows that this prison
usually housed more than 400 prisoners. During its prison days, the
variation board was affixed to the left wall of the entrance hall.
When the prison was finally closed in 1973, 406 people
were imprisoned here.
Take note of the key displayed on the door to cell
no. 7, as well as the peepholes and large locks.
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MUSEUM FIGURES
The figures seen in this museum are not mass produced mannequins,
but were cast from live models. The series of photographs on
the back wall were taken while casting the figure used in the
diningroom exhibition. The body is completely covered with plaster
of paris. The moulds are then removed from the body and lined
with fiberglass. When the fiberglass. is set, the mould is removed
and the different parts (13 in all) are then rejoined and painted
and eyes and hair added. In front is an example of a leg in different
stages of completion and to the left all the materials used can
be seen.
COURTYARD
Prisoners were brought to the courtyard for half an hour
each day for recreation and physical exercise. The shed-roof
over the courtyard was erected on request of the museum staff
in order to protect the antiques exhibited here. In the early
days there was a well in the middle of the courtyard that supplied
the prison with water.
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ARTICLES USED IN PRISON
This exhibition shows the clothes and other articles used in prison.
They are all authentic and were donated by the prison authorities.
The clothes, sleeping mats and apparatus for corporal punishment are
of interest.
The sleeping mats that were used were made of sisal,
but felt was later used.
Each prisoner had his working clothes as well as his
Sunday best. Female prisoners were compelled to wear a head cloth.
Dinnerware consisted of a plate, spoon and fork. No knives were used
and the handles of the spoons and forks were blunt.
THE GAOL KITCHEN
The kitchen was also kept in its original condition and the actual
articles used are displayed here. Note the exceptionally large pots,
each with its own stove, and the porridge oar as tall as a grown man.
Prisoners acted as cooks and the teacher in front of the window to
the right was fitted to ensure that all received the same helping of
food and friends were not singled out as favourites.
The meat block was actually used in the prison and
the trunk against the wall was used for the storing of cutlery.
CELLS FOR SOLITARY CONFINEMENT
To the left of the kitchen are three CELLS FOR SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.
Confinement to these cells was not inflicted by court,
but was an additional means of punishment for misconduct when already
in gaol. You may look through the peepholes and enter the cell in the
middle to appreciate the graffiti on the walls and behind the doors.
You need not worry about finding any foul language. In the last cell
the light has been switched off so that you can see how dark it was
inside.
Note the small courtyard with barbed wire fitted above
where these prisoners were allowed to do some physical exercises for
a quarter of an hour each day.
 VOORTREKKER
EXHIBITION
Klerksdorp originated in 1837 when 12 Voortrekker families settled
along the Skoopspruit where Hendrik Potgieter Road is today.
This exhibition shows some of their daily activities
such as the making of candles, butter churning, roasting of coffee
beans, the baking of bread in an anthill and making soap. The boy is
playing with his span of oxen (knucklebones).
The mural shows the wagon used by the Voortrekkers
(Kakebeenwa).
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