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Architectural features in Graaff-Reinet

Centred front doors with the same number of windows on either side.

Old windows with small window panes set close to the outside wall to allow for deep window sills inside.

Fanlights to give light to the central passage when the front door is closed.

Wooden shutters to shield the windows from the Karoo heat.

Some interesting personalities

Lived in Te Water House it was built by Dr Krebbs an emigrant from Germany and when he died Mr. F.K. Te Water married the wealthy widow Krebbs.

Frans Karl Te Water was born in Brussels. For health reasons he sailed for the Cape of Good Hope at the age of 18 to become a private tutor for a family in the Bedford district. Not happy there he was returning home via Graaff Reinet when he noticed an advertisement for the post of Town Clerk an was duly appointed. He subsequently became well set up as an auctioneer and general agent: In the 1860’s the town suffered a severe depression. F.k.Te Water was Chairman of the Municipal Board in 1865. His uncompromising and resolute decisions did much for the survival of the town. Later he represented Graaff Reinet on the Cape Legislative Council in 1869.  The Te Water family occupied this house for almost a hundred years and two of his daughters Mrs Keegan and Mrs Goldman fondly known as “Aunt J” and “Aunt T” are remembered to this day. On one occasion “Aunt J” showed her disapproval of a municipal decision to chop down an oak tree alongside her house. On the appointed morning she took a chair and sat in front of the tree and nothing or nobody could budge her. The tree was not chopped down.

HISTORY ON ABERDEEN

Anglo Boer War History
Dutch Reformed Church History
Biblical Panels in Church Hall
Christian and Jewish Cemetries
Archtecture

For further information on the above visit the official Aberdeen Tourism web site
http://www.aberdeencape.org

HISTORY ON NIEU-BETHEDA

History of Nieu-Bethesda
The Owl House
The Old Mill
The Old Church
Cemetery

For further information on the above visit the official Nieu-Bethesda Tourism web site
http://www.nieubethesda.info 

  • More InfoUpdated: April 2021
    Grela Tours
    • Graaff-Reinet
    Grela Tours is a youth tour operating cooperative that is run by young tour guides, currently conducting tours in the township of uMasizakhe, one of the oldest townships in South Africa.
    • Tours and Safaris
    • Township Tours
    • Tours
  • More InfoUpdated: August 2022
    Bloemhof Guest Farm (32km from Graaff Reinet)
    • Nieu Bethesda
    • Graaff-Reinet
    Bloemhof Farm Guesthouse is located on Bloemhof Farm, a charming working Karoo farm, 32km north of Graaff Reinet on the N9, and half an hour from Nieu-Bethesda.
    • Dinner Bed & Breakfast
    • Farm
    • Bed And Breakfast
    • Farm Getaway
    • Cycle Friendly
    • Child Friendly
    • Pet Friendly
    • Photography
    • Cycling
    • Bird Watching
    • Mountain Biking
    • Hiking Trails
  • More InfoUpdated: October 2019
    History of Graaff Reinet
    • Graaff-Reinet
    Named after Cornelis Jacob van de Graaf and his wife Cornelia Reynet, “de Wiljdgelegen Colonie van Graaff-Reinet" was established in 1786 and is one of several towns in South Africa named after Dutch governors. This was the...
    • History
  • More InfoUpdated: April 2015
    Te Water House
    • Graaff-Reinet
    This is one of the many wing-type houses that existed in the centre of the town. H-shaped and probably dating from 1820 the gables have been clipped and the façade woodwork added in about 1870.
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: April 2015
    The War Memorial
    • Graaff-Reinet
    Three months after the end of the first World War a public meeting was called by the Mayor, Mr. H Urquhart, at which it was decided to erect a monument, on the most prominent site in town, in honour of the gallant Graaff-Reinet...
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: 5 months ago
    St James’ Anglican Church
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The oldest original church building in use is St James’ Church situated in Somerset Street. The original church consisting of the present nave was built and consecrated on the 29 October 1850. The chancel and sanctuary were...
    • Our Community
    • Community Services
    • Sightseeing
    • 049 892 2458
  • More InfoUpdated: September 2022
    Karoo Connections
    • Graaff-Reinet
    Karoo Connections has provided superior guided tours, safaris and transfers since 1996. Historic Graaff-Reinet Tour - Camdeboo National Park Game Drive - Valley of Desolation Sundowner Tour - Township Walkabout - Nieu Bethesda &...
    • Tourist Transfers
    • Tours and Safaris
    • Tours and Safaris
    • Township Tours
    • Tours
    • Independent Shuttles
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: October 2022
    De Wingerd
    • Graaff-Reinet
    Built in 1840 in the heart of Graaff-Reinet, this Karoo Victorian-style home offers luxurious modern comforts. De Wingerd nestles in the shade of 2 majestic Jacaranda trees and offers accommodation in 6 en-suite rooms.
    • Bed And Breakfast
  • More InfoUpdated: April 2015
    Monument to the Independent Colony
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The Drostdy at Graaff-Reinet was established in response to petitions from the Boers of the region. On 6 February 1795 a gathering proclaimed the "Graaff-Reinet Colony"
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: February 2020
    History of the Drostdy Hotel
    • Graaff-Reinet
    What is a drostdy? It is the office or residence of a landdrost, a Boer magistrate in a rural district of South Africa prior to the establishment of British administration. The Old Drostdy in Graaff-Reinet has undergone many...
    • History
  • More InfoUpdated: March 2015
    Andries Pretorius Monument
    • Graaff-Reinet
    This monument in memory of the Voortrekker leader was erected in 1943. The monument can be seen about 3 km from the town, at the Camdeboo National Park Offices on the N9 to Middelburg, the route to the north and into the...
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: 10 months ago
    Graaff-Reinet Club
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The Graaff-Reinet Club is the second oldest social club in South Africa. The land and building was purchased in 1875, when several leading townsmen and farmers decided that a social club was needed. In 1880 a new club house was...
    • Historic Buildings & Architecture
    • History
  • More InfoUpdated: October 2019
    Hester Rupert Art Museum Graaff Reinet
    • Graaff-Reinet
    Located in Church Street, Graaff-Reinet, is housed in the fifth oldest church building in South Africa. It was built and consecrated as a Dutch Reformed Mission Church in 1821, 35 years after the founding of the village of...
    • Museums
  • More InfoUpdated: April 2015
    Royal Block Masizahke
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The Royal Block was constructed during the early 20th century, quite possibly as housing for the labour force during the construction of the Van Ryneveld’s Pass Irrigation Dam in the 1920’s.
    • History
  • More InfoUpdated: 4 months ago
    Victorian Square Guesthouse
    • Graaff-Reinet
    Victorian Square Guesthouse is a charming late 19th century guesthouse located in the tree-lined Stockenstroom Street in Graaff-Reinet, the jewel of the Great Karoo.
    • Long-Term Accommodation
    • Self Catering
    • Guest House
    • Wheelchair Friendly
    • Child Friendly
    • Pet Friendly
  • More InfoUpdated: March 2015
    Victoria Hall Graaff-Reinet Town Hall
    • Graaff-Reinet
    On the 26 June 1902 the foundation stone of the new Town Hall in Church Square named “The Victoria Hall” was laid but building operations only started in April 1910. The town hall was designed along Flemish Renaissance lines.
    • Sightseeing
    • 049 892 4248
  • More InfoUpdated: March 2019
    The Roman Catholic Church
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The present day Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bourke Street, between Somerset and Middle Streets, was consecrated on the 23rd April 1957 and the High Alter on the 24th April 1957. First class relics of St Pius X...
    • Our Community
    • Community Services
    • Sightseeing
    • 049 892 2721
  • More InfoUpdated: April 2015
    Historical Guest Farms
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The Camdeboo and Graaff-Reinet area is home to a number of farms which are associated with major events in South African history. Come and visit the places where great figures lived.
    • History
  • More InfoUpdated: 6 months ago
    John Rupert Theatre Graaff-Reinet
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The building in which the John Rupert Theatre of Graaff-Reinet is located was formerly a Congregational Mission Church and the original pulpit can still be seen in the foyer.
    • Historic Buildings & Architecture
    • Entertainment
  • More InfoUpdated: May 2023
    Dutch Reformed Church - NG Graaff-Reinet
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The first recorded church was in Church Street. Building of a church started in 1792 but was destroyed by fire in 1799 before it could be completed. A second church was completed in September 1800 on the site of the present Dutch...
    • Historic Buildings & Architecture
    • Our Community
    • Community Services
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: March 2019
    The Bushman Heritage Museum
    • Graaff-Reinet Area
    The Bushman Heritage Museum - A unique museum of contemporary art made by living Bushmen, includes a permanent collection of stunning tapestries made by local Bushmen artists at the Bethesda Arts Centre, artwork that explores the...
    • Restaurant
    • Shopping / Interests
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Museums
  • More InfoUpdated: March 2015
    Anglo-Boer War Memorial
    • Graaff-Reinet
    Dedicated to Boer soldiers "in memory of the fallen in the struggle for Freedom and Justice".
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: December 2018
    Urquhart House Museum Graaff Reinet
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The large erf at the southern extremity of Market Square, on which Urquhart House stands today, was granted in freehold to Johan Hendrik Greyling on 1 January 1806, which places it amongst the earliest plots transferred into...
    • Museums
  • More InfoUpdated: December 2018
    Reinet House Museum, Graaff-Reinet
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The Graaff-Reinet Museum or “Reinet House”, formerly a Dutch Reformed Church parsonage, was built at the expense of the Government in 1812 during the ministry of the Rev. Kicherer. It was the home of three ministers prior to...
    • Museums
  • More InfoUpdated: March 2019
    The Gereformeerde Kerk
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The original foundation stone for this building situated on the corner of Bourke and Middle Streets was laid on the 9th July 1913. After undergoing many transformations including being used as a cinema the building was...
    • Our Community
    • Community Services
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: December 2021
    Owl House & Helen Martins
    • Graaff-Reinet Area
    Helen Martins lay ill in bed one night with the moon shining in through the window and considered how dull and grey her life had become. She resolved there and then, that she would strive to bring light and colour into her life....
    • Museums
  • More InfoUpdated: May 2019
    The Methodist Church (Trinity Methodist Church)
    • Graaff-Reinet
    In 1871 the foundation stone of the Trinity Church on the corner of Caledon and Bourke Streets was laid and on the 15 September 1875 the official opening of the church took place. In 1894 it was necessary to enlarge the building...
    • Our Community
    • Community Services
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: April 2021
    Old Library Museum, Graaff-Reinet
    • Graaff-Reinet
    While limited privately sponsored library facilities were available in Graaff-Reinet from about 1818, it was not until 1847 that the citizens of the town established a public library, subscribing funds to build the central...
    • Museums
  • More InfoUpdated: April 2015
    The Monument to Jewish Pedlars
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The important role played by the Jewish "smous" in the sparsely populated interior of the Cape Colony is recognised in a simple monument erected alongside College Road.
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: August 2016
    Old Powder Magazine
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The old powder magazine stands alone on the hill to the north of Graaff Reinet.
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: March 2015
    Gideon Scheepers Memorial
    • Graaff-Reinet
    During the Anglo-Boer War Gideon Scheepers formed his own commando, which operated in the Cape Midlands. He was captured by the British troops and charges of alleged war crimes were laid against him. At the court hearings in...
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: April 2015
    San and Khoi Memorial
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The San and Khoi Memorial which stands of a hill on the Aberdeen Road approach to the town dedicated to the Hottentots and Bushmen that lost their lives to conflicting interests with farmers between 1702 and 1809.
    • Sightseeing
  • More InfoUpdated: December 2018
    Old Residency Museum, Graaff-Reinet
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The former Residency, situated diagonally opposite Reinet House at the end of Parsonage Street, and forming a unique architectural complex with it, is a well-preserved example of the early 19th Century Cape Dutch H-shaped house.
    • Museums
  • More InfoUpdated: February 2023
    Jan Rupert Centre
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The Neo-Gothic building in Middle Street was originally a place of worship for the Manatees, a refugee Sotho tribe that had fled south across the Orange River in the 1820’s.
    • Museums
  • More InfoUpdated: April 2015
    Krugersdorp Monument
    • Graaff-Reinet
    The scaled-down replica of the Paardekraal monument was erected south of the bridge over the Sundays River.
    • Sightseeing

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