Boekenhoutfontein facts for kids
Boekenhoutfontein was a special farm that belonged to Paul Kruger. He was an important leader in the 1800s and the president of the Transvaal Republic. This farm is located near Rustenburg in the North West Province, South Africa. Today, it is a museum where you can learn about his life and the history of the area.
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Where is Boekenhoutfontein?
This historic farm is about 20 kilometers northwest of Rustenburg. You can find it on the main road that leads to Sun City and Pilanesberg (R565). Boekenhoutfontein is nestled in a beautiful valley. It is surrounded by hills covered with lush bushveld, which is a type of natural grassland and forest. The area also has a rare peat wetland, which is a special kind of marshy land. Many old artifacts have been found here, showing that people lived in this area a very long time ago.
Who Was Paul Kruger?
Paul Kruger is a famous figure in South African history. He is remembered in many ways today. For example, his birthplace near Bulhoek has been restored. His official home in Pretoria is now the Kruger Museum. There is also a simple cottage in Waterval Onder where he lived before going to Europe. The world-famous Kruger National Park is named after him. Even the town of Krugersdorp in Mogale City carries his name.
However, Boekenhoutfontein truly shows his love for the land. It also highlights his friendly relationships with the local Black communities. He bought this farm in 1859 and owned it until he passed away. After his death, the farm was divided among three of his children. In 1971, this important farm was declared a national monument. This means it is protected because of its historical value.
Restoring the Farm
In 1971, a part of the farm, where the main buildings stood, was bought from the Kruger family. The Simon van der Stel Foundation carefully restored the buildings. They worked hard to make them look just as they did in Kruger's time.
The buildings on the farm are lined up neatly. This shows Kruger's love for order. The buildings were made using simple methods and materials. For example, they used rough beechwood for door frames. The floors were made from a mix of cow dung, peach pits, and blood. The roof beams were held together with wooden pegs and leather straps.
Inside the museum, you can see furniture from that time. There is also wallpaper that has been recreated by skilled craftspeople. You can even see Kruger's rifle. It might be the one he used to hunt a lion when he was just 14 years old! His many Bibles are also on display. His wife, Gezina, played a bellows organ, which you can also see. Many gifts given to him by important visitors are also there.
Kruger lived in the Bronkhorst House while his first house was being built. This house dates back to the early 1840s. It is believed to be the oldest house owned by a white person in the old Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek. This property is next to the land of the Bafokeng nation. Kruger became friends with them. He helped them register their land rights. This was very important. Today, the Bafokeng nation is wealthy because of royalties from platinum mines on their land.
Exploring the Farm Grounds
Near the main buildings, you can find the graves of Kruger's family. There is also a small hill, or "koppie," where Kruger often went to pray. In the hills, there is a saddle-shaped dip where he used to hide his horses from the British forces. The old schoolhouse on the farm has been used for many things over the years. It can now be used as a simple chapel or a meeting room.
The dams that Kruger built have also been restored. Today, these dams provide water for the many wild animals that live on the farm. You can see herds of game roaming freely in the untouched bushveld around the farm. These animals include eland, blesbok, impala, bushbok, nyala, kudu, zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe, and pygmy hippos. Soon, sable and other types of antelope will also be added.
About 20 years ago, the owners of Kedar Country Hotel started buying farmland in this area. They first bought a part of the land that belonged to Kruger's daughter, Gezina. They built three small houses for visitors who wanted a peaceful stay in nature. Over the years, they bought more land. Now, they own over 600 hectares. This large area has fences to keep the game animals safe.
A project called "Working for Water" has done great work here. They have removed plants that are not native to the area. They have also restored the wetlands. These wetlands now attract many different kinds of birds.
The main Kruger House is a museum. It displays many items that belonged to Kruger. It also has many historical items from the Rustenburg Museum.
Paul Kruger's last message to General Louis Botha was: "Seek in the past all that is good and beautiful, make it your ideal and make it come true in the future." This message encourages us to learn from history and build a better future.
See also
- List of Castles and Fortifications in South Africa
