Swellendam 2: Museums

Swellendam has a splendid historical museum.

The Drostdy, which served as the home plus offices and court of the Landdrost, was begun in 1746, one year after the Colonie in de Vergeleegene Districten (the far-off districts) was proclaimed. Timbers came from the Langeberg, the mountain behind the town. Originally the house had a T-shaped floor plan, but it was enlarged in 1813 to form an H. Perched on the frontier, the Drostdy was "a landmark in the history of South Africa. Hardly any event of importance passed it by. Moreover, it was a rendezvous for the travellers and governors on their journeys to the far east..." (Oberholster, The Historical Monuments of South Africa, 1972, p. 114). The building was sold in 1855 to raise money, and it remained private until 1939. Perhaps the building looks fine as is, but it originally had a front gable, lost during the period of private ownership.

Inside, a fine old cabinet organ.

A safe, though I'm more taken by the floorboards.

The safe was opened with three keys, each held by a different person.

When it came to fine cabinetry, these people knew how it was done.

What will they say when I bring this to Antiques Road Show.

Martha has nothing on these people.

Don't waste your time guessing; it's a sausage maker.

Across the street, there's another part of the museum, the Old Gaol. It dates from 1828.

There's a courtyard behind with (in the shaded doorway) a pitch-black cell for recalcitrant prisoners. Apparently it was used for non-compliant Boer wives, too.