The Kruger Houses

THE KRUGER HOUSES AT BOEKENHOUTFONTEIN

Five Blue Plaque sites at Boekenhoutfontein (Paul Kruger Country House Museum):

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Bronkhorst House
                                            • First Kruger House
                                            • Second (Main) Kruger House
                                            • Pieter Kruger House
                                            • Old School Room

The five historical buildings were built adjacent to one another over a period of about 50 years in the late 19^th Century. Today they have been beautifully restored and equipped with authentic furniture and artifacts from the time of their occupation. Collectively known as the Paul Kruger Country House Museum, they are owned and curated by the Recreation Africa Group and are accessible to the public. The five historic buildings have each been awarded blue plaques.

The farm Boekenhoutfontein was bought by Paul Kruger in 1862 and he and his family lived there from 1873. After his death in 1904 the farm was divided between his two sons, Pieter and Jan, and his son-in-law Theunus Eloff; Pieter bought out his siblings’ shares in the early 20^th Century. After his death portions of the farm were sold off in subsequent years and the buildings were extensively altered and finally abandoned and allowed to fall into disrepair.

In 1971 the Simon van der Stel Foundation restored them to their original state and opened to the public as a museum and restaurant in 1983. A decade later ownership of the historical farm passed to Recreation Africa Group, a private organisation with a strong commitment to the acquisition and preservation of southern African heritage. Kedar Heritage Lodge was built a short distance from the Kruger houses on the same farm and holds one of the most extensive collection of South African War artifacts and sculptures in private hands.