Paul Kruger memorial stone relocated to Springs Museum
Residents will now be able to view the historic memorial at the museum following its relocation from Murray Park.
The Paul Kruger Memorial Stone at Murray Park, linked to the early foundations of Springs, found a new home at the Springs Mine and Military Museum on April 9.
The museum founder, Tony da Cruz, told the Springs Advertiser that the significance of the memorial being part of the museum is for the residents of the town to know the origin, as many parts of Springs are named after Paul Kruger, like President Park, President’s Dam, President’s Ranch, Paul Kruger Highway and more.
He shared that it was important for the museum to discuss securing an important piece of the town’s legacy with the City of Ekurhuleni’s heritage department after the closure of Murray Park.
“The museum is geographically on Kruger’s farm as well and is only 700m from the original location.
The museum also has large visitor numbers and is a great exposure for the metro’s heritage assets,” explained da Cruz.
He said that the memorial is a touchpoint for young people to ask questions about the area’s past.
Since the memorial is part of the museum, Da Cruz also said the memorial fence is being restored and will be placed as originally done.
He added that the immediate area will likely be decorated with flowers and that the stone itself will be polished regularly and cared for.
“The move had to consider the fragility of the granite. We had to ensure no damage would occur to the polished and engraved surfaces.
“Soft strapping was used for the lifting and placement. We acquired the most experienced riggers to do the work. H&H Specialised Services of Nuffield is one of the best in the business,” noted the founder.
He emphasised that the museum’s display strategy is to create display variety and scale that appeals to a broad swath of visitors; conservation and education, however, remain the core purpose.
Da Cruz shared that the memorial will be a pleasant surprise for young and old people of Springs and neighbouring towns.
“It is absolutely vital that MMM continues to rescue and conserve all heritage assets from Springs and the broader Ekurhuleni. Our children must know that, with no past, they have no future,” concluded the founder.
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