The Historic Houses of Stellenbosch

Today we visited the Stellenbosch Village Museum. This museum has four houses of historical interest and gardens. Each of these beautiful homes represents a different time period in the architectural development of Stellenbosch. The houses, their interiors and their gardens have been restored, furnished, planted and decorated to illustrate the particular style and taste of time. Below is some information on each of the houses in the museum complex. 

Schreuderhuis (1680-1720)

This is the first home at the museum and was built in 1709. The home survived the first great fire in Stellenbosch due to it having a clay interior roofing, causing the house to bake but not get totally destroyed. This made the restoration possible.

Blettermanhuis (1750-1790)

This is the second home at the museum. It was built in 1789 by Hendrik Lodewyk Bletterman, who was the last landdrost (magistrate) of Stellenbosch to be appointed by the Dutch East India Company.

Grosvenor House (1800-1830)

This is the third home at the museum. It was originally built in 1782 but was added to by successive owners until it reached its present appearance in 1803. This home is one of the most outstanding examples of a two-storied, flat-roofed patrician townhouse, of which there was a considerable amount in Stellenbosch, as well as in Cape Town. 

Om Berghhuis (mid-nineteenth century)

This is the fourth home at the museum and the home of O.M. Bergh and his family. They lived in this house from 1836 to 1877. This home has wallpaper, furniture, and accessories from the period of 1850-1870.

Brissa A

07/15/2022