Modderfontein heritage on show on International Museum Day
Because these walks are so popular, booking is essential
The Dynamite Company Museum and historic Franz Hoenig Haus in Modderfontein will be open to the public on May 18 in celebration of International Museum Day.
This is just one of two days in the year on which the house is open for viewing.
The museum and house will be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm and two guided heritage walks led by Keith Martin and Robbie Vermont will take place at 9.30am. The walks will include the historical buildings and artifacts in and around the heritage precinct. The walks cover a distance of 2.2km and last about two hours.
Because these walks are so popular, booking is essential as numbers are limited to 20 people per group. The cost of the walks is R50 per person. Contact Martin on 011 608 2864 or 082 450 4003 or Vermont on 011 608 2693 or 082 800 3704 to book.
The International Council of Museums established International Museum Day in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society. Organised on May 18 each year, or around this date, the events and activities planned to celebrate International Museum Day can last a day, a weekend or an entire week.
Last year, more than 37 000 museums participated in the event in 158 countries and territories. This year the theme for the day is “Museums as Cultural Hubs: The future of tradition”.
Modderfontein’s Dynamite Company Museum, while chronicling the technical history of AECI as a producer of explosives and chemicals, also provides a social commentary and insight into the part played by some of the world-famous figures who helped shape the destiny of southern Africa. These include Alfred Nobel, Paul Kruger, Robert Baden-Powell, Cecil John Rhodes and Sir Ernest and Harry Oppenheimer.
The contribution made by AECI’s polyglot workforce is included in the story told by the museum.
The walks start at the museum at No 2 Main Street in Modderfontein in one of the first two domestic houses built there back in 1895. This house was occupied for close to 90 years before being restored in 1987 to house The Dynamite Company Museum.
The facade is almost exactly as it was when the house was built by Austrian, Italian and German artisans.
Museum hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 8.30am to 3.30pm, Friday from 8.30am to 2pm and Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
For enquiries and group visits to the museum, contact the curator, Lodwick Mahasha on 078 800 8679.
