Double dose of heritage at Modderfontein this month
This will be the twelve consecutive year these walks have taken place on this day.
Heritage Month is being celebrated by Modderfontein Conservation Society with conducted walks around the heritage precinct of the village and a talk by Jonathan Stone, principal of Jonathan Stone Architects.
Two walks will take place on Heritage Day, September 24, at 9am. The talk will take place in Modderfontein Town Hall at 1 Casino Road (opposite the bowls club) at 7.30pm September 20.
Walks begin at The Dynamite Company Museum at 2 Main Street (just two doors from 33 High Street Restaurant) and last about two hours. Walk leaders are Keith Martin and Robbie Vermont, members of the heritage section of Modderfontein Conservation Society.
This will be the twelve consecutive year these walks have taken place on this day.
In addition to the walks, The Dynamite Company Museum will be open to the public in the morning. This will give visitors the opportunity to see why Modderfontein Dynamite Factory was called “A Power for Prosperity” in the area and how it contributed to the wealth and development of the country as a whole.
The original manager’s home, Franz Hoenig Haus, will also be open. This is the one day in the year this historic mansion can be viewed, and there is no charge.
According to Vermont, the walks are so popular, prior booking is essential. He advises walkers to wear comfortable shoes, hats and to bring something to drink if they feel they will need it. The cost is R50 a head.
Stone’s Heritage Month illustrated talk will cover aspects of heritage architecture and include:
• A brief overview of the of the old Springkell Sanatorium (now Heritage Retirement Village).
• Hospitals in early Johannesburg.
• The Springkell Sanatorium considered as an important development.
• Principles of conservation generally and as applied to Springkell.
• The conservation management plan developed for the Springkell Sanatorium.
Stone comments: “Often an architect’s mindset is about the ego-driven idea. A conservation approach requires a quiet voice and an appreciation that what you are conserving is far more important than a new intervention. Conservation reverses the usual hierarchy in design. It requires invisibility and a respect for the past.”
Visitors are welcome to attend the talk. An entrance fee of R30 is charged to help cover expenses.
Call Keith Martin on 011 608 2864 or 082 450 4003 for further details.
