Boekenhoutfontein facts for kids
Boekenhoutfontein was the farm of Paul Kruger. He was an important leader in South Africa during the 1800s. He was also the president of the old Transvaal Republic. You can find this farm in Rustenburg, in the North West Province of South Africa.
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Where is Boekenhoutfontein?
Boekenhoutfontein is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north-west of Rustenburg. It sits in a beautiful valley, surrounded by green bushveld hills. The farm is part of the Paul Kruger Country House Museum. It also has a rare peat wetland, which is a special type of marshy area. This place is full of history and has many old archaeological finds.
Who was Paul Kruger?
Paul Kruger is a famous figure in South African history. He is remembered in many ways today. His birthplace near Bulhoek, his official home in Pretoria (now the Kruger Museum), and his simple cottage in Waterval Onder are all preserved. The world-famous Kruger National Park is also named after him. The town of Krugersdorp also carries his name.
However, Boekenhoutfontein best shows his love for the land. It also shows his good relationships with nearby black communities. Kruger bought this farm in 1859. It stayed his property until he passed away. Later, it was divided among three of his children. In 1971, Boekenhoutfontein was declared a national monument.
Restoring the Farm
In 1971, the Simon van der Stel Foundation bought the part of the farm with the main buildings. They carefully restored the different buildings. They wanted them to look just as they did in Kruger's time.
The buildings are lined up neatly, showing Kruger's love for order. They were built using simple methods and materials. For example, they used rough beechwood for door frames. The floors were made of cow dung, peach pits, and blood. Roof beams were held together with wooden pegs and leather straps.
Inside, you can see furniture and wallpaper that look like they did back then. Kruger's rifle is on display. He might have used it to kill a lion when he was only 14! You can also see one of his many Bibles. His wife, Gezina, played the bellows organ, which is also there. Many gifts given to him by visiting leaders are also on show.
Kruger lived in the Bronkhorst House while building his first home at Boekenhoutfontein. This house dates back to the early 1840s. It is said to be the oldest white-owned home in the old Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek. This property was next to the land of the Bafokeng nation. Kruger became friends with them. He helped them officially register their land rights. This led to the Bafokeng nation's great wealth today from platinum mines.
Exploring the Farm Grounds
Close by, you can find the graves of Kruger's family. There is also a small hill (koppie) where Kruger often went to pray. A saddle-shaped dip in the hills is where he hid his horses from the British army. 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 built by Kruger have also been fixed up. Today, they provide water for wild animals. You can see herds of game roaming freely in the untouched bushveld around the farm.
Kedar Country Hotel and Game Reserve
About 20 years ago, the owners of Kedar Country Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa began buying farmland in the area. They first bought a piece of land that belonged to Kruger's daughter, Gezina. They built three small cabins for visitors who wanted peace and quiet in nature. Over the years, they bought more land. Now, they own over 600 hectares (about 1,500 acres). This area has been fenced off for game. Many different animals live there now. These include eland, blesbok, impala, bushbok, nyala, kudu, zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe, and pygmy hippos. Soon, sable and other antelopes will join them.
A project called "Working for Water" has done great work here. They removed plants that don't belong there. They also restored the wetlands. These wetlands now attract many different kinds of birds.
The main Kruger House is a museum. It shows many items related to Kruger. It also has many historical items from the Rustenburg Museum.
In his last message, President Kruger told General Louis Botha: "Seek in the past all that is good and beautiful, make it your ideal and make it come true in the future."
See also
- List of Castles and Fortifications in South Africa
