Middelburg History and Culture
- More InfoVCA HallIt was built as a home for Lord French, by Lord Kitchener’s Master builder during the 1899 – 1902 Anglo Boer War. When the war was drawing towards its end, many local residents felt that the ex-volunteers should be welcomed...
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- More InfoBritish Military Pumping StationThe pumping station was erected in about 1904 by the British troops that were stationed at Grootfontein. Its site is the marshland from which the actual “Groote Fontein” springs.
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- More InfoP W Vorster MuseumThe PW Vorster museum at the Grootfontein Agricultural Institute is housed in the original farm dwelling, erected in 1827. Collection consists of Anglo Boer War artifacts and ‘n Post War collection as well as a large...
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- More InfoMarket SquareThe market square was encircled by Murray-, Market-, Van Reenen- and Loop Streets. On the Outspan, originated the Dutch Reformed Church, Gereformeerde Kerk, Methodist Church and the Town Hall. Today, part of it is known as the...
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- More InfoGrootfontein College of AgricultureGrootfontein, once a former British Military Peace Camp, offers various historical sites to see. At the Grootfontein Agricultural Institute, you can still find some of their graveyards dating back to the British history of...
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- More InfoAnglican Church - St Barnabas ChurchThe St Barnabas Church, a historical building is still in use for weekly sermons. It is build with stone, and the original bell can still be viewed in the garden.
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- parishofthekaroo@gmail.com
- More InfoOld WaterpumpQueen Victoria gave this gift to the town in 1887 when she had reigned for 50 years. The Victoria- and Jubilee Streets have been named then. The water pump can be seen in the Mayor’s Garden.
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- More InfoStoel MonumentOp Middelburg staan ‘n stoel-monument, opgerig ter ere van Luitenant Pieter Jacobus Wolfaardt en Lótter. Die bewoording daarop lees, “Wat beteken hierdie klip vir julle?”
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- More InfoSt Mark's Church - RosmeadThe church was built under supervision of Mr van der Merwe and during 1927 the cornerstone was laid in the presence of many residents from Rosmead as well as visitors from Middelburg. During 1927 the building was completed and...
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- More InfoSchoombeesklipThis rock is the oldest landmark of the occupation by the first European inhabitants. This inscription reads: “Anno 170 ik ben die plaas heft aangeleyght A.G.S.B. uyt Denemark sprenghane als sant.” Andries Godliep Schoombee...
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- More InfoPersies GraveMr. & Mrs. Joubert lived in their small house opposite Dagbreek Hostel, next to Middelburg High School. They were already pensioners, and never had any children. They raised a Persie-lamb as if it was their child.
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- More InfoWall of RemembranceThe wall honors the memory of all who fell during the Two World wars and the Bush war in Namibia.
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- More InfoA site for Middelburg was chosen, as its name implies, in the very centre of a circle of other platteland towns – thus providing a hub for the secular and spiritual life of a pioneer farming community, which was, till then,...
- More InfoTown GraveyardsTwo, the old and new graveyards. Old: van Reenen Street New: Turn down in Church Street, follow the road around the old railway station building, and you’ll find it on your left hand side.
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- More InfoHaystead & Ford BuildingIn Market Street, this building dates back to the early days of the century. This is one of the few buildings left from the old Middelburg, which was declared a national monument. - Market Street -
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- More InfoBritish Officer’s MessMany old students know the Officer’s Mess, situated on the grounds of the Grootfontein College of Agriculture as a former hostel named House Karoo. The mess dates from the Anglo Boer War period (1903 – 1910) and was one of...
- Middelburg
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- 073 093 7644
- elana.k@nda.agric.za
- More InfoSt Lawrence Anglican ChurchSituated at Tafelberg Station built by J S Distin was consecrated by Bishop Webb of Grahamstown on the 15th February 1894. It is still being used for services and weddings
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- More InfoGraveyard of Farm DriefonteinFollow the road past the caravan park (Hill Street) to the first graveyard behind Ouberg Hill where the first inhabitants of Driefontein, on which Middelburg was founded, lay buried.
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- More InfoKarel Theron Primary SchoolThe school, built in 1908, once was the biggest school in the Cape Province. It was named after Mr Kalie Theron who saw his school grow from a two-teacher primary school to a high school. For 35 years he was the principal.
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- More InfoGereformeerde Kerk (Reformed Church)Ds Dirk Postma founded this congregation at Grootfontein in 1860. The church building was finished in 1862, and is the oldest “Gereformeerde Kerk” building in South Africa. In 1979 is wat declared a national monument. The...
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- More InfoChair MonumentThis monument at Ouberg Hill, just outside Middelburg on the Richmond road, marks the spot where two commandants, Lötter and Wolfaardt were executed, during the Anglo Boer War, in 1901.
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- More InfoMiddelburg Cultural History MuseumThe Middelburg Museum was once the building were the Poor School was housed.
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- More InfoKhoisan is the name by which a specific group of indigenous people of Southern Africa, the Khoi (Hottentots) and the San (Bushmen) are known. These people dominated the sub-continent for millennia before the appearance of the...
- More InfoWarden HouseThe house where the warden of the first prison stayed, is situated in Meintjies Street, the main street of town. A few years ago it housed the Local Tourism Information Office.
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- More InfoSteam RollerThe steam roller was bought in 1938 to build streets and to prepare a few streets for tarring.
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- More InfoSneeuberg Mountain RangeThe Sneeuberg range to the south of Middelburg, were a haven for the San where they hunted and gathered plants, bulbs and fruit for food much as prehistoric man did. During winter months, snow can be seen on the mountains, and...
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- More InfoBurger MonumentThis graceful obelisk was erected in 1929 to honour the memory of 19 Burghers who fell during the Anglo Boer War. Can be seen in the Mayor’s Garden. Mayor’s Garden, Meintjies Street.
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- More InfoRock ArtRock art and fossils can be seen at some farm accommodation establishments in the area.
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- More InfoFounding of MiddelburgA site for Middelburg was chosen, as its name implies, in the very centre of a circle of other platteland towns – thus providing a hub for the secular and spiritual life of a pioneer farming community, which was, till then,...
- Middelburg
- History
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- middelburgkarootourism@gmail.com