Hester Rupert Art Museum Graaff Reinet
  • Graaff-Reinet

Last Updated: October 2019

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Location

  • Church Street
    Graaff-Reinet

  • Longitude: 24.535861
  • Latitude: -32.251411
  • Map

Business Hours

  • Mondays to Fridays 0900 - 12h30 and 14h00 - 17h00
    Weekends and Public Holidays 09h00 - 12h00
    Closed on Christmas Day & Good Friday

About Hester Rupert Art Museum Graaff Reinet

Hester Rupert Art Museum, Graaff-Reinet
Hester Rupert Art Museum, Graaff-Reinet
Hester Rupert Art Museum, Graaff-Reinet
Hester Rupert Art Museum, Graaff-Reinet
Hester Rupert Art Museum Graaff Reinet
Hester Rupert Art Museum Graaff Reinet
Hester Rupert Art Museum
Hester Rupert Art Museum
Hester Rupert Art Museum
Hester Rupert Art Museum
Hester Rupert Art Museum

The foundation stone for this building was laid on the 24 April 1821 to serve as a church and school for the “Graaff-Reinet Missionary Society for the Expansion of God’s Kingdom among the Heathen”. With funds raised by the directors it was the artisan members of the congregation who built the solid walls and gables with an expert called in to assist in completing the vault. Consecrated in the same year it was the sixth oldest church in South Africa and one of the three remaining built on the traditional cruciform plan.

The building was saved from becoming a filling station in 1965 when Dr Anton Rupert negotiated a sale to the Historical Homes of South Africa, who restored the building. On 26 July 1966 the art museum, with a total of 90 paintings and sculptures donated by 83 artists, was opened by the then State President, Mr C.R. Swart, and given in perpetual trust to the Town Council of Graaff-Reinet. In gratitude, the Council named the museum the Hester Rupert Art Museum in honour of Dr Rupert's late mother. The building was declared a national monument on 4 October 1984.

Since then, more artists have donated works to the museum and to date the collection comprises 126 works by 106 artists. Most of the collection is devoted to works produced by artists working in the 1960's who responded positively to the call to save the building for posterity. This collection should not be regarded as representative of 20th Century South African artists but rather as a small, focused collection, as which it remains highly significant.

Map and Directions to Hester Rupert Art Museum Graaff Reinet

GPS : 32° 15' 5.08" S / 24° 32' 9.10" E

From Murraysburg / Richmond

  • Enter Graaff-Reinet on the R63 and turn left into Caledon Street (R63) at the second cross intersection
  • Immediately past the big church turn right into Kerk Street
  • Hester Rupert Art Museum is the second building on the left in the second block.

From Middelburg

  • Enter Graaff-Reinet on the N9 and turn right into Caledon Street at the garage
  • Turn left into Kerk Street at the big church
  • Hester Rupert Art Museum is the second building on the left in the second block.

From Port Elizabeth

  • Enter Graaff-Reinet on the N9 (R61), cross the bridge and continue up Kerk Street
  • Hester Rupert Art Museum is the second building on the right after passing the Drostdy Hotel.

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