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 The
Klerksdorp Museum is housed in the Old Prison. The original prison
was built of raw clay-bricks and the doors were seldom locked. The
only "safety precaution" was a furrow a few centimetres deep
around the building which was probably only able to keep the most "honest
swindlers" inside. Due to the absence of a hospital in Klerksdorp,
patients were sometimes sent to this prison for "treatment"
during the 1880's.
Following the discovery of gold, scores of fortune hunters flocked
to the new gold fields during 1887/1888, and it soon became necessary
to construct an effective prison, and tenders for the building of a
prison were requested in the Government Gazette of 6 January 1890.
S. Wierda, a Dutch immigrant and also the State Architect of the ZAR
designed the building.
The sandstone building was completed in 1891, as can
still be seen above the main entrance.
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CONTACT
Enquiries can be directed to Mrs van Heerden via telephone, +27
18 4623546, or fax, +27 18 4623981. Alternatively you can also
contact KOSH Info.
SHOP
In the replica of a little Victorian building, a representation
of a small general dealer shop between the years 1938 -1950,
who sold almost anything from beans, maize and brown sugar in
bags to material, pots and pans, crockery, medicine, musical
instruments and groceries, can be seen.
WORTH KNOWING
An excellent book, KLERKSDORP GROEIENDE REUS 1837-1987
is available at the counter at R5.00 each. This is a must for
scholars and anybody interested in the history of Klerksdorp.
Much research went into this and various knowledgeable people
wrote it in an easily comprehensible style.
The following matters are attended to the book, illustrated
with numerous photographs, general history on the development
of Klerksdorp, on education and the different schools, geology
and gold, the mining history, political history, pioneers, domestic
management, architecture, the history of the churches, local
press and organisations.
We regret that this book is not available in English.
KLERKSDORP 150
The exhibition was installed in view of the festivities around
the 150th anniversary of Klerksdorp, the oldest town in the Transvaal.
The aim is to give a summary of the highlights of the history
of our city from prehistoric time until the present.
Because of an understandable lack of exhibit material, it is
mainly an artist's representation by means of dioramas, drawings
and photographs. The stone implements dating to the Stone Age,
as well as the reproductions of documents are however authentic.
This room was originally used for ablution and contained toilets
and showers.
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During the Second War of Independence (1889 - 1902),
when Klerksdorp was alternately occupied by the British and Boer forces,
the building was also used for detention of prisoners of war. It was
used as a prison until May 1973.
No executions took place in this gaol, but occasionally
prisoners where murdered by fellow prisoners.
During 1975, the Town Council appointed the first
museum staff and work towards the realisation of the museum started
in earnest. On 26 January 1977, the museum opened its doors to the
public.
Beautiful wrought iron gates were installed in front
of the museum. These had been used in front of the Klerksdorp Stock
Exchange building since 1889. The building was demolished many years
ago. To the left of the main entrance to the museum is an iron hitching
post to which horses were tied in bygone days. This particular one
was originally used at the Old Cemetery.
Because the museum building was originally erected
as a prison and used as such for many years, some rooms were reserved
for gaol exhibitions. All other exhibitions in the museum deal with
social history or physical science and bear no reference to the prison.
SECOND WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
(1899 - 1902)
This exhibition has three subdivisions. The first part shows some
articles actually used by soldiers during the war. Then follows a collection
of souvenirs made by Boer prisoners of war. The tent is a representation
of one used by the Boer delegates who gathered on the banks of the
Skoonspruit to discuss peace proposals before leaving for Pretoria
and finally Vereeninging. The chairs are those actually used on that
occasion.
NEW ACQUISITIONS
This is not a formal exhibition, but all new acquisitions are displayed
here for a period of time, after which they are safely stored until
needed for an exhibition. Eventually all new acquisitions will be displayed
here.
You may notice that except for those in the New Acquisitions
display, no names concerning the donors are given in other exhibitions.
Every item is however allocated, a number and full particulars concerning
the origin and history of the article donated are recorded in the museum
files and will always be available for future reference. Donating an
article to the museum is probably the surest way to preserve a part
of your family history for future generations. All information regarding
an item donated, as well as a photograph thereof is recorded on computer
at the Tranvaal Provincial Library and Museum Service in Pretoria.
This enables researchers throughout S.A. as well as abroad, to have
access to information regarding all items in Transvaal museums.
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