Paarl Museum
A short history of the Paarl Museum
This museum is situated on a section of the farm originally granted to Pieter Janz van Marseveen by Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel on 8 February 1699.
The farm was a long strip of land which stretched from the Berg River to the slopes of Paarl Mountain.
In 1714, the Landdrost and Heemraden of Stellenbosch purchased the ground as a site for the building of a parsonage for the Dutch Reformed Congregation of Drakenstein (Paarl) which was established in 1691. The first parsonage was most probably erected in 1715. From approximately 1715 to 1872, eleven ministers from the Thatched Roof Church (Strooidak Kerk) lived in the original and present building.
By the middle of the 18th century,the parsonage was in a very neglected condition and was restored in 1786. The parsonage was demolished and rebuilt, partly with material from the original building. The new building was completed in 1787. This building is an example of a U-shaped Cape Dutch styled house which dates back to the 18th century.
In 1872 the property was sold to the Thom family and it remained in their possession until 1924.In the late 1920’s this building was used as a boy’s hostel by Paarl Gymnasium High School, until it was purchased by the Paarl Town Council.
In 1939 this building was renovated and opened as the Huguenot Museum. During the renovation the front gable was reconstructed and the side gables, which were identical to the front gable, were replaced by concave-convex gables.In 1940 the museum was proclaimed as the Huguenot Museum. In 1969 its name was changed to the Old Parsonage Museum. On 1 March 1995 the name changed to Paarl Museum with its theme, The History of Paarl.
This charming museum has a superb permanent collection of Cape Antiques (furniture, silver, etc.), artefacts, documents and photographs which reflect the rich cultural diversity and development of the town. Many exciting temporary exhibitions can also be seen throughout the year.
The museum strives to create better understanding and tolerance through its exhibitions.
Contact details for the Paarl Museum:
303 Main Street,
Behind the Toringkerk inside the parking area.
Paarl
7646
Tel: +27 (0) 21 872 2651
EMail: paarlmuseum@telkomsa.net
Website: http://www.museums.org.za
Thanks to Museums.org.za