Bloemfontein is home to a number of museums exhibting not only the history of South Africa, but particulary that of the Free State and the city.
And the city has also a variety of other
historical buildings.
Freshford House Museum
This house was built in 1897 by architect John Edward Harrison and depicts the charming lifestyle of the late 1800s in Bloemfontein. It has been restored and furnished by the National Museum.
Contact:
31 Kellner Street, Westdene
Monday to Friday: 10:00am 1:00pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
The National MuseumThe National Museum accommodates one of the most extensive collections of fossils and archaeological artefacts in South Africa, for example the Florisbad skull highly significant to archaeologists who concentrate on the study of pre-historic man.
Exhibitions also include a realistically re-created street scene from the early 1900s and the history of Bloemfontein.
Contact:
36 Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein
Mondays - Fridays: 08h00 - 17h00
Saturdays: 10h00 - 17h00
Sundays & Public Holidays: 12h00 - 17h30
Tel: +27 51 447 9609
This monument, created by Anton van Wouw, is a celebrated piece of South African sculpture. The 36,5m sandstone shrine is impressive in its simplicity and is dedicated to the memory of the 26 000 women and children who died in the Anglo Boer War (1899-1902).
The museum on the same site exhibits an impressive collection of artefacts related to this war.
Contact:
Monument Road, Bloemfontein
Weekdays: 08:00 - 16:30
Saturdays: 10:00 - 17:00
Sundays: 11:00 - 17:00
Tel +27 51 4473447
First Raadsaal Museum
The First Raadsaal, the oldest remaining building in Bloemfontein, is a satellite museum of the National Museum. The history of the establishment of the Free State is depicted here.
Contact:
95 St George Street, Bloemfontein
Monday to Friday: 10:00am 1:00pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Wagon Museum
The Wagon Museum is situated on the same premises as the First Raadsaal Museum. It houses a collection of historical wagons and carriages, such as a spring wagon, Voortrekker ox wagon, transport wagon, stagecoach, mule wagon, spider and Cape cart.
Contact:
95 St George Street, Bloemfontein
Monday to Friday: 10:00am 1:00pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Oliewenhuis Art Museum
This stately neo-Cape Dutch house was built to accomodate visiting Governor-General and Head of State. It became a gallery in 1985.
Surrounded by 12 hectares of natural vegetation on Grant's Hill, Oliewenhuis Art Museum offers access to four marked walking trails through unspoilt natural surroundings. The Museum gardens also offer ideal picnic spots.
Contact:
Tel. +27 51 447 9609
Queens Fort Military Museum
The Old Fort was erected in 1848 and originally housed the Artillery Unit of the Free State. The museum depicts all major military conflicts in the Free State from 1820, as well as the struggle against apartheid.
Contact:
116 Church Street, Bloemfontein
Mondays - Fridays: 10:00 - 12:15 & 13:00 - 16:00
Sundays: 14:00 - 16:00
Tel.: (051) 4475478
Choet Visser Rugby Museum
The Rugby Museum houses one of the largest private collections of rugby memorabilia in the world.
Contact the Tourist Centre at 051 405 8489 / 90 for contact details to arrange a visit.
Special Service Battalion Museum
This special battalion was established during the Great Depression in the 1930s in order to save the youth from a loss of self-confidence and the risk of moral and physical degeneration caused by prolonged unemployment at the time. Articles in this military museum date back to the year 1933.
Contact:
Tempe Military Base, Bloemfontein
Tel: 051-4029111
SA Armour Museum
This museum displays a wide range of armoured military vehicles and artillery. It consists of an indoor and outdoor area and a reference library.
Contact:
Tempe Military Base, Bloemfontein
Weekdays: 09:00 - 16:00 except Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays
Tel 051 402 1777/2093
Free State Agricultural Museum
This living agricultural museum depicts daily farming activities and represents various aspects of farming culture to be preserved for future generations.
Contact:
Situated at Glen Agricultural College
Weekdays: 7:30 - 16:00
Tel: 051-8611012
