Klerksdorp Museum

Welcome

Custodian of our
cultural heritage

The Klerksdorp Museum is proud to be the custodian of the cultural heritage of the people of the City of Matlosana.

Klerksdorp Museum is housed in what was once the Old Klerksdorp Prison. Our Museum consists of two parts, namely a beautifully and authentically decorated House Museum, and the Main Museum Building, featuring a wide variety of exhibitions ranging from topics celebrating the long and vibrant multi-cultural history of our City's people, as well as a number of exhibitions specifically dedicated to the history of the building's original function as a prison.

The Main Building — having once functioned as a prison from 1891 to 1973 — is an impressive sandstone building featuring a Late Victorian building style.

Permanent Collections

Our Exhibitions

Inside the old sandstone walls the visitor will find permanent exhibitions covering the prison era, the pioneer history of our region, the cultural heritage of our communities and a rare collection of Khoisan rock art.

01 Main Museum

Prison Exhibitions

The visitor can expect to view a number of exhibitions reflecting the historical past of the Main Museum as a former prison. The story of those who were incarcerated in these stark (and in winter, bitterly cold) cells is related to the visitor through free, colourful booklets and interpretive signage, as well as authentic prison era objects in various exhibitions.

Bearing in mind that it only closed down as a prison in 1973, the prison also housed thousands of people over the course of many decades who were convicted of transgressions of the Group Areas Act and other draconic Apartheid era laws.

**Permanent Exhibition** A variety of prison uniforms and other utilitarian objects in one of the permanent exhibitions.

02 Main Museum

Pioneer History

The Pioneer Exhibitions sketch an abbreviated timeline of our area, from the arrival of the first hominids two million years ago to modern humans from about 20 000 years ago.

From c. 20 000 years ago — The Khoisan
The first modern humans settling in this area were the Khoisan people, who can trace their South African roots perhaps as far back as 20 000 years ago. They led a hunter-gatherer and, later, a nomadic cattle and sheep herder lifestyle.
900 – 1300 AD — The Sotho-Tswana
The ancestors of the modern-day Tswana speakers of our area — the Rolong, Kwena, Hurutshe and Kgatla — form the Western division of the broader Sotho-Tswana speaking community. With them they brought a rich iron working, cattle herding and crop farming culture.
1837 — The Voortrekkers
The last group of pioneers to settle this area arrived in late 1837. Their settlement on the banks of the Mooi River and Skoonspruit led to the founding of Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp respectively. Later, more towns like Hartbeesfontein, Stilfontein and Orkney would follow.

The Pioneer Exhibitions, sketching an abbreviated timeline of our area — **Pioneer Exhibitions** An abbreviated timeline of our area, from the arrival of the first hominids two million years ago to modern humans from about 20 000 years ago.

03 Main Museum

General Cultural Exhibitions

The Museum hosts several exhibitions with a general cultural history background. Here the visitor can learn more about the cultural heritage of the various cultures represented in the City.

Among them is an exhibition celebrating the cultural heritage of the Hindu and Muslim community of our City — one of many threads in the long and vibrant multi-cultural history of Matlosana.

04 Unique in the North West Province

Khoisan Rock Art Exhibition

Unique among all the museums in the North West Province, Klerksdorp Museum hosts an extensive permanent exhibition of Khoisan rock art, originally from an initiation site for young maidens.

Excavated under a SAHRA Rescue Excavation permit, these important cultural symbols were saved from destruction in the nick of time and now have pride of place in Klerksdorp Museum.

Korana rock engravings on display at Klerksdorp Museum — **Korana Rock Engravings** Extensive information panels assist the Museum visitor in gaining insight into the intricate symbolism as represented in these engravings.

05 The Second Building

The House Museum

In 1910, prison authorities erected a house next to the prison building, which would serve as residence for the Chief Warden of the prison and his family until 1973. The Museum restored this grand old house to its former Edwardian era glory, towards utilising it as a house museum.

Five rooms in the house have been decorated to represent various historical periods, with authentic furniture and household items from the period adding to the educational experience that the Museum visitor can expect.

Late Victorian era rural South African voorhuis — **The Voorhuis** Late Victorian era rural South African “voorhuis”.

A typical 1930s rural kitchen in the House Museum — **The Kitchen** A typical 1930's rural kitchen, as can be viewed in the House Museum.

Rendered to our community

Museum Services

The following services are rendered to our community, free of charge.

Educational Visits

Educational visits to all Museum exhibitions, from the prison era and pioneer history through to the Khoisan rock art collection.

Free of charge

Information Booklets

A large variety of colourful information booklets, giving background to the exhibitions and to the history of our area.

Free of charge

Assistance for Researchers

Our Curator and Historian assist researchers working on the history and heritage of Klerksdorp and the greater City of Matlosana.

Free of charge

School Assignments

Provision of information to learners and parents for school assignments on local history, culture and heritage.

Free of charge

School Group Programs

Formal educational programs for school groups, tailored to the Museum's exhibitions.

Booking essential

Guided Tours

Guided tours through the Museum and/or to some of the other historical sites in the City.

Booking essential

Booking is essential for school group programs and guided tours. Call 018 487 8900 or email dmathiba@klerksdorp.org to arrange your visit.

A look inside

Museum Gallery

Click on any image to view it in full size.

Korana Rock Engravings

Prison Uniforms

Passage & Cell Doors

Pioneer Exhibitions

Cultural Heritage

The Voorhuis

1930's Rural Kitchen

Klerksdorp Museum - come and experience our history, culture and heritage

Come & Experience Our Heritage

Before you come

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to visit the Museum?

No. All the Museum services listed on this page are rendered to our community free of charge, including educational visits to all Museum exhibitions, information booklets, assistance for researchers, formal educational programs for school groups and guided tours.

When is the Museum open to the public?

Our operational hours are:

Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 16:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 11:45
Sunday and Public Holidays: 14:00 – 17:00

For group visits we recommend that you contact us in advance so that we can prepare for your arrival.

How do I book a guided tour or a school group visit?

Booking is essential for both guided tours and formal educational programs for school groups. To book, call 018 487 8900 or email dmathiba@klerksdorp.org.

Guided tours can be arranged through the Museum and/or to some of the other historical sites in the City.

What can I see at Klerksdorp Museum?

The Museum consists of two parts:

The Main Museum Building — a Late Victorian sandstone building that functioned as a prison from 1891 to 1973, now housing prison exhibitions, pioneer history exhibitions, general cultural exhibitions and the Khoisan rock art exhibition.
The House Museum — the restored 1910 residence of the Chief Warden, with five rooms decorated to represent various historical periods using authentic furniture and household items.

Can the Museum assist with my research or school project?

Yes. The Museum provides assistance for researchers as well as information to learners and parents for school assignments, free of charge. A large variety of information booklets is also available.

For research enquiries, contact our Curator at avanzyl@klerksdorp.org or our Historian at bertgaffen@museumhistorian.org.za.

City of Matlosana

Custodian of our
cultural heritage