Art & Culture in Graaff-Reinet: Museums & Galleries
Whether or not you’re a fan of History as a subject, there’s no denying its presence in Graaff-Reinet, one of South Africa’s oldest towns. Here, history seems to hum beneath the surface in the form of ancient oaks, Cape Dutch buildings and the presence of no less than 220 national heritage sites! For guests of The Drostdy Hotel, exploring Graaff-Reinet’s museums and galleries is a way to step behind our town’s handsome façade and see it as a part of the Karoo’s wider story. Remember, these are not sterile display rooms of glass and labels, but living spaces that tell very human stories. From fossils to fine art, these are our favourite museums and galleries for you to explore, all within walking distance of The Drostdy Hotel, in Graaff-Reinet! The Graaff-Reinet Museum Complex Just a short stroll (400m) from the hotel lies a collection of five elegant heritage buildings collectively known as the Graaff-Reinet Museum Complex. Together, they hold centuries of memory; each room, gable, and creaking floorboard revealing a different facet of our town’s past. At the centre of it all is Reinet House, once the Dutch Reformed parsonage and home to generations of the Murray family. It’s a graceful Cape H-plan building, its whitewashed walls a testament to both endurance and reinvention. Here, you’ll find a treasure chest of period furniture, a withond distillery, a beautifully restored mill house with a working water wheel, and the Laubscher doll collection, a charming nod to the domestic artistry of the time. Don’t miss the ancient grapevine planted in 1870 – still growing in the courtyard! Across the road, Urquhart House opens a window into 19th-century life, from polished peach-pit floors to the everyday objects of the early settlers. Funny how ordinary objects become so significant and fascinating when displayed in this way… Meanwhile, the Old Library houses fascinating exhibitions that stretch far beyond local history, from the Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe Collection and Townley Johnson’s rock art displays to rotating exhibitions exploring themes like slavery, restitution, and renewable energy. Finally, the Military History Museum, built in the style of an old stable, captures Graaff-Reinet’s military past through the Anglo-Boer War and both World Wars. These exhibits remind visitors that even remote Karoo towns were not untouched by the larger issues of history. The Old Residency building is currently closed for restoration work. Together, these five buildings form one of the most compelling Graaff-Reinet museums collections, and a rare chance to experience South African history in a place where the architecture is part of the exhibit. Image Credit: www.graaffreinetmuseums.co.za Karoo Origins Fossil Centre From history to prehistory… Just outside of our hotel’s own historic complex lies Karoo Origins: The Fossil Centre, a place that stretches your imagination back hundreds of millions of years, and a recent addition to our town’s many attractions. Here, the world-famous Rubidge Fossil Collection takes centre stage, comprising over 850 fossil skulls, some belonging to species that predate the dinosaurs. The story told here is that the Karoo once teemed with life long before humans walked the earth, and it was this ancient landscape that witnessed the greatest extinction event of all time, 252 million years ago. The immersive diorama of life-sized prehistoric creatures and compelling video footage on the Permian extinction make this one of the most engaging Graaff-Reinet museums for both adults and children. You can even watch technicians carefully exposing fossils from rock, revealing the meticulous process behind every discovery. (Who else dreamed of being an archaeologist like Indiana Jones when they were small?) After exploring deep time, why not pause at the on-site café for coffee, wine, or a light lunch in their shaded courtyard? Spring is certainly the season for it. Guests booking our Heritage & Horizons Package enjoy complimentary entry to Karoo Origins, the perfect addition to a springtime stay. Imibala Gallery Back at The Drostdy Hotel, art finds a more contemporary expression in the Imibala Gallery, our on-site exhibition space. Imibala means “colours,” which perfectly captures the spirit of what we’re trying to create here: A vibrant, inclusive gallery that is alive with the talent of local South African artists. Exhibitions change regularly, offering guests a chance to encounter everything from fine art and sculpture to photography and mixed media pieces. More than just a gallery, Imibala is a platform for empowerment. It reflects our partnership with the Imibala Trust, which supports educational and social development initiatives for children in the region. Every artwork purchased here ripples outward, supporting both artist and community. Hester Rupert Art Museum A few steps along Church Street stands one of Graaff-Reinet’s most iconic cultural landmarks: The Hester Rupert Art Museum; something between a museum and a gallery. Housed in what was once a Dutch Reformed Mission Church built in 1821, this small, whitewashed building was saved from demolition in the 1960s thanks to the vision of Dr Anton Rupert, a son of Graaff-Reinet. Today, it’s home to a remarkable collection of 20th-century South African art: Over a hundred works donated by leading artists of the time in response to Rupert’s call to preserve the building. Works range from lyrical landscapes to those that engage with powerful social commentary. It’s a small collection, but it carries immense cultural weight; a legacy that we all get to enjoy together. Stay With Us At The Drostdy Hotel, we believe that exploring Graaff-Reinet’s art and culture is a way of deepening your stay and giving context to our hotel’s place in this town’s history. After a morning spent wandering through Reinet House or admiring local works at Imibala, return to the cool quiet of your suite, or linger over a glass of wine in our courtyard as the church bells echo across town. Graaff-Reinet has always been a place of preservation and imagination, and at The Drostdy, you’re perfectly placed to experience both. To stay with us or book the Heritage & Horizons Package, contact our reception desk at reservations@drostdy.co.za or fill out our online enquiry form.