Read what happened in some of the biggest moments in South African history, where monuments are based and why they exist. Take a walk through history in our Exhibits and ready more about the struggles of the women that lived through the war.
Read what happened in some of the biggest moments in South African history, where monuments are based and why they exist. Take a walk through history in our Exhibits and ready more about the struggles of the women that lived through the war.
To collect, curate, conserve, display and conduct research on heritage items relating to the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902.
Collection Theme
The Museum collection consists mainly of approximately 35 000 historic and cultural heritage items that are directly or indirectly related to the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions supplement the existing collection and add value to the collection as a whole. The collection of the Museum is continuously expanded by acquiring objects through: pro-active collecting, donations, bequests and purchases. Accepted acquisitions become the lawfull property of the Museum.
The following criteria will be considered when heritage items are evaluated for acquisition purposes:
Items must be relevant to the Museum’s main theme.
Items must be in a reasonable condition or should be capable of restoration to its original condition, unless the physical condition is integral to the intrinsic value of the items.
The legal title and provenance of the items should be established.
Items with restrictions will be acquired selectively.
Items considered for acquisitioning may not be in contradiction with any applicable governing laws.
Conservation and Restoration
The Museum is responsible for the long-term care and conservation of the collection. General preventative conservation principles are implemented by providing environmentally controlled conditions, security and disaster measures as well as protection against harmful biological and mechanical factors. When deemed necessary heritage items are restored by professional conservators and restorers.
Training
The Collection Management personnel are skilled professionals in their various fields of expertise and they continue to receive training on subjects such as standard museum practices and conservation techniques by attending workshops and training courses.
Research
Continuous research is undertaken by the Collections Management personnel focusing on interesting subjects and related information regarding specific items in the collection.
Contact
For Collection enquiries and donations please contact the Collections Manager: Vicky Heunis vicky@anglo-boer.co.za
Emily Hobhouse Collection
Object Collection
Document Collection
Philatelic Collection
Library Collection
Photographic Collection
Digitally Curated Emily Hobhouse Collection
Accession number: 01000/00002 Title: Lace collar Description: Cream coloured bobbin lace collar with “Wag-‘n-bietjie” leaf pattern with fine flowers inbetween, as well as two small locusts. History: Made in the Lace School at Koppies that was established by Emily Hobhouse. Date: 1910 Location: Koppies, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 01129/00001 Title: Spinning wheel Description: Dark wooden spinning wheel with the inscription: C.H. STAUDT GEMUENDEN. History: One of the batch of spinning wheels from Germany that was sent to South Africa after the war to assist with establising a spinning and weaving cottage industry by Emily Hobhouse. Hobhouse donated this spinning wheel to one of the students, Maynie Fleck, who became the secretary for the Orange Free State Home Industries Board. From 1936 this spinning wheel was used in the Trompsburg Weaving School. Date: 1905-1908, 1936 Location: Trompsburg, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 01129/00002 Title: Bridal veil Description: Cream coloured bridal veil of fine netting with delicate flowers. History: The bridal veil belonged to Emily Hobhouse. Although the marriage did not occur the veil was donated by Hobhouse to RI (Tibbie) Steyn to auction off for funds for the “Oranje Vrouevereniging” to build a retirement home at Brandfort. Date: Unknown Location: Brandfort, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 03672/00001 Title: Child’s dress Description: Light blue dress with white stripes and white lace collar. History: Dress was worn by the 5-year-old Susan Piek that died in the Vredefort Concentration Camp (Greenlands). The material for the dress was supplied by Emily Hobhouse. Date: 1901 Location: Vredefort, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 04025/00001 Title: Spinning wheel Description: Dark wooden spinning wheel. History: This spinning wheel belonged to Emily Hobhouse’s mother. Hobhouse donated the spinning wheel to MM Muller (Born Kotze) who was a student at the first Weaving School in Philippolis. She also assited with establishing the shools at Langlaagte and Edenburg. Date: 1905-1908 Location: Philippolis, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 04779/00003 Title: Cloak Description: Made of black material (felt) and cord. History: Emily Hobhouse gifted this cloak to Katherina Fourie in the Kimberley Hospital who was wounded after her family fled due to the implimentation of the Scorched Earth Policy in 1900. Date: 1901 Location: Kimberley, Cape Colony (Northern Cape), South Africa
Accession number: 04849/00001 Title: Blanket Description: Woven wool blanket in brown, green and blue colours. History: Made in the Bethlehem Weaving School. Date: 1908 Location: Bethlehem, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 04938/00004 Title: Apron Description: Half-apron of black material (jaconet) with red, green and brown embroidery including strawberry design. History: Belonged to JH Primrose-Grant, who from a young age excelled in crewel work (embroidery), which impressed Emily Hobhouse when she met her in the Bloemfontein Concentration Camp. Due to the encouragement and support of Hobhouse, she received further training after the war at the Royal School of Art Needlework in London. Date: 1901 Location: Bloemfontein, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00010 Title: Bust Description: Bronze bust of an older Emily Hobhouse. History: Emily Hobhouse (1860/04/09-1926/06/08) was a British humanitarian who provided aid to women and children in the concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) and to German orphans during World War One (1914-1918). Sculpted by Mathieu Molitor in 1920. Date: 1920 Location: Leipzig, Germany
Accession number: 05082/00026 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of the burned down church at Dullstroom. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Winter of 1903. Inscription at the back: RUINS OF DULLSTROOM CHURCH IN TRANSVAAL AS LEFT BY THE BRITISH TROOPS. SKETCHED BY ME IN 1903 IN WINTER TIME. Date: 1903 Location: Dullstroom, Transvaal (Mpumalanga), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00027 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of burned down farmhouse on Enkeldoorn farm, near Roossenekal. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Winter of 1903. Inscription at the back: FARM ENKELDOORN BETWEEN ROOS-SENEKAL AND WITPOORT – TRANSVAAL WHERE I SLEPT IN THE STABLE NOT FAR OFF IN THE LATE WINTER OF 1903. IT IS EARLY SUNRISE. THE HOUSE IS A LONG WAY OFF – IT IS A LARGE ONE – WITH FRONTAGE OF ABOUT 70 FEET. Date: 1903 Location: Enkeldoorn farm, Roossenekal, Transvaal (Limpopo), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00028 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of the burned down church at Lindley. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Winter of 1903. Inscription at the back: LINDLEY CHURCH AFTER DESTRUCTION BY THE BRITISH TROOPS. IT HAD TAKEN 4,000.00 POUNDS TO BUILD IT. THE WHOLE TOWN WAS DESTROYED – I SLEPT THERE ON A SHEET OF CORRUGATED IRON IN 1903. Date: 1903 Location: Lindley, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00029 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of burned down farmhouse of General CR de Wet, near Dewetsdorp. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the winter of 1903. Inscription at the back: THE RUINS OF DE WET’S FARM LEFT BY THE BRITISH ARMY AND AS SKETCHED BY ME IN 1903 WHEN I STAYED WITH HIM History: MR. AND MRS. DE WET IN THE BARE NEW BUILDING THEY HAD HASTILY PUT UP. THE HOUSE WAS FIRST BURNT AND THEN DYNAMITED. FRUIT TREES ALL CUT DOWN IN AND ROUND THE GARDEN WHERE YOU SEE REMAINS OF BARLEY AND MEALIES. HIS SIX COWS ABOUT 2 MILES OFF. Date: 1903 Location: Dewetsdorp, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00030 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of Brandfort Concentration Camp Cemetery History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Winter of 1903. Inscription at the back: GRAVEYARD OF THE CONCENTRATION CAMP AT BRANDFORT O.V.S. THE GROUND NEWLY TURNED UP IS RED AND BECOMES History: GRADUALLY YELLOW AS IT DRIES. SKETCHED BY ME IN 1903. Date: 1903 Location: Brandfort, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00031 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of nature scene near Thaba ‘Nchu. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Winter of 1903. Inscription at the back: A SCENE IN THE FREE STATE NEAR THABA’NCHU LOOKING TOWARDS SPRINKAAN’NEK. SKETCHED BY ME IN 1903. Date: 1903 Location: Thaba ‘Nchu, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00032 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of Middelburg Concentration Camp Cemetery. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Winter of 1903. Inscription at the back: GRAVEYARD OF THE CONCENTRATION CAMP AT MIDDELBURG – WHEN THE SUN HAD JUST SET AND THE MOON HAD RISEN. SKETCHED IN THE TRANSVAAL WINTER OF 1903 BY ME. Date: 1903 Location: Middelburg, Transvaal (Mpumalanga), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00033 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of burned down farmhouse on Wonderhoek farm, near Witpoort. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Spring of 1903. Inscription at the back: FARM WONDERHOEK – TRANSVAAL NEAR WITPOORT. THE RED RUINS STAND IN GROUND STILL BLACKENED BY THE FLAMES OF History: THE DESTROYING ARMY. THE STORY OF THE DESTRUCTION IS TOLD BY MRS. V.D. BERG. SKETCHED BY ME IN THE EARLY TRANSVAAL SPRING OF 1903. Date: 1903 Location: Wonderhoek farm, Witpoort, Transvaal (North West), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00034 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of burned down farmhouse on Bultfontein farm, near the Modderrivier. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Winter of 1903. Inscription at the back: FARM BULTFONTEIN – MARTIENS RHEEDER – ON MODDERRIVIER – BETWEEN BLOEMFONTEIN AND BOSHOFF – AS I SAW IT IN 1903. THE ADJOINING STABLE HAD BEEN PATCHED UP FOR USE – IS SEEN ON THE LEFT. I SLEPT IN A LEAN TO AT THE BACK OF THE BURNT HOUSE. Date: 1903 Location: Bultfontein farm, Modderrivier, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00035 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of burned down farmhouse, near Roossenekal. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Spring of 1903. Inscription at the back: A FARM NEAR ROOS-SENEKAL IN TRANSVAAL WHERE I PASSED THE NIGHT IN 1903, AS LEFT BY BRITISH TROOPS. SKETCHED BY ME IN VERY EARLY SPRING. Date: 1903 Location: Roossenekal, Transvaal (Limpopo), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00036 Title: Painting Description: Watercolour painting of burned down farmhouse on Krugersdrift farm, near the Modderrivier. History: Painted by Emily Hobhouse during the Winter of 1903. Inscription at the back: KRUGER’S DRIFT. A BURNT FARM ON THE MODDER RIVER. SKETCHED BY ME IN 1903 (JUNE). Date: 1903 Location: Krugersdrift farm, Modderrivier, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 05082/00046 Title: Painting Description: Oil painting of a younger Emily Hobhouse. History: Emily Hobhouse (1860/04/09-1926/06/08) was a British humanitarian who provided aid to women and children in the concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Painted by Antoon van Welie in November 1902. Date: 1902 Location: Unknown, probably Europe
Accession number: 05125/00001 Title: Travel chest Description: Big chest with arched lid with lock, covered with leather and wooden bands, lined with paper inside. History: Belonged to Emily Hobhouse. Date: Unknown Location: Unknown
Accession number: 05151/00002 Title: Safety pin Description: Small silver coloured metal safety pin. History: Used by Emily Hobhouse in South Africa. Date: Unknown Location: Unknown
Accession number: 05229/00001 Title: Nail scissor Description: Small silver coloured metal nail scissor. History: Gifted by Emily Hobhouse to Johanna Roux, the daughter of Cmdt. JP Roux, who used it in the Bethulie Concentration Camp. Date: 1901 Location: Bethulie, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 05229/00002 Title: Candy Tin Description: Small gold coloured candy tin with picture of pigeons on the lid. Originally contained Butterscotch sweets. History: Gifted by Emily Hobhouse to Johanna Roux, the daughter of Cmdt. JP Roux, who used it in the Bethulie Concentration Camp. Date: 1901 Location: Bethulie, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 05268/00008 Title: Weaving loom Description: Large wooden weaving loom with movable parts (Danish design). History: Belonged to MJ Malherbe, a student at the Ermelo Weaving School that was established by Emily Hobhouse. Date: 1905-1908 Location: Ermelo, Transvaal (Mpumalanga), South Africa
Accession number: 05758/00002 Title: Apron Description: Half apron of black material with frills and brown stitching. History: Gifted by Emily Hobhouse to SC Beukes (later Moolman). Date: 1901 Location: Unknown
Accession number: 07015/00001 Title: Bust Description: Bronze bust of Emily Hobhouse. History: Emily Hobhouse (1860/04/09-1926/06/08) was a British humanitarian who provided aid to women and children in the concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Sculpted by Laura Rautenbach. Date: 1980’s Location: South Africa
Accession number: 07169/00001 Title: Pendant and chain Description: Silver chain with circular pendant containing seven round yellow diamonds and the date 1919. History: Boer farmers in the Orange Free State sent the diamonds from the Jagersfontein mine to Emily Hobhouse in appreciation for the humanitarian aid that she provided to the women and children in the concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). The pendant was made in Leipzig, Germany during 1919. It was bequeathed to Johanna Rood (later Osborn) who was the headmistress at the Koppies Lace School and friend of Emily Hobhouse. Date: 1919 Location: Leipzig, Germany
Accession number: 07334/00001 Title: Painting Description: Oil painting on board of Emily Hobhouse with a modern perspective. Title: Die Engelse Roos (The English Rose). Painted by Stefan Rossouw in 2013. Artist statement: DIE ENGELSE ROOS (THE ENGLISH ROSE) IS A PORTRAIT OF THE HUMANITARIAN EMILY HOBHOUSE. THE WILTED History: ROSES AND CHRYSANTHEMUMS ON HOBHOUSE’S HEAD REPRESENT THE SUFFERING OF THE WOMEN AND CHIDREN SENT TO THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS. LIKE THE CROWN ON HER HEAD, HOBHOUSE CARRIED THE BURDEN OF TURNING AGAINST HER HOMELAND AND ENDURING THE EVERYDAY HARDSHIPS OF SUFFERING PEOPLE. THE VEIL REPRESENTS HOW HOBHOUSE, ON THE BRINK OF GETTING MARRIED, BROKE OFF HER ENGAGEMENT TO WORK TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE IN POOR LIVING CONDITIONS. THE VEIL ALSO SUGGESTS HOW SHE ‘LIFTED THE VEIL’ ON THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED IN THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS. Date: 2013 Location: South Africa
Accession number: 07342/00004 Title: Bust Description: Emily Hobhouse (1860/04/09-1926/06/08) was a British humanitarian who provided aid to women and children in the concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Sculpted by Phil Minnaar. Date: 2000’s Location: South Africa
Accession number: 07518/00002 Title: Lace Description: Framed cream coloured lace pieces with photographs. History: Framed lace pieces made at the Koppie Lace School with photographs of Emily Hobhouse and Johanna Rood (later Osborn), who was the headmistress at the Koppies Lace School and friend of Emily Hobhouse. Date: 1910 Location: Koppies, Orange Free State (Free State), South Africa
Accession number: 07685/00001 Title: Sketch Description: Charcoal sketch of an older Emily Hobhouse based on a photograph. History: Emily Hobhouse (1860/04/09-1926/06/08) was a British humanitarian. Sketch of Emily Hobhouse outside her retirement home at St. Ives in Cornwall, bought with money donated to her from Boer farmers in South Africa in appreciation for the humanitarian aid that she provided to the women and children in the concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Sketched by Sally Ronchetti in 2015. Date: 2015 Location: Liskeard, Cornwall, England
Accession number: 07786/00001 Title: Coffee mug Description: Ceramic commemorative (1971-2002) coffee mug with coat of arms for the SAS Emily Hobhouse / SAS Umkhonto submarine (S98). History: The Daphné class submarine was ordered in 1968 and was named the SAS Emily Hobhouse submarine in 1969. In 1994 the submarine was renamed to the SAS Umkhonto and was decommissioned in 2003 and scrapped in 2008. Date: 2002 Location: Simon’s Town, South Africa
Object Collection
The Object collection of ±12 500 objects range from household objects and clothing to POW trench art etc. This collection includes sub-collections such as the Art collection (paintings and sculptures), the Firearm collection (fire-arms, edged weapons and ammunition) as wel as the Numismatic collection (coins, paper money, medals).
Contact:
Registrar and Curator for the Ceramic, Textile, Wood and Metal collections: Estelle Knox – eknox@anglo-boer.co.za
Curator for the Art collection, Firearm collection and Numismatic collection: Vicky Heunis – vicky@anglo-boer.co.za
Document Collection
The Document collection of ±10 500 documents include original diaries, correspondence, scrapbooks etc. The Museum embarked on a digitization process whereby the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Family Search Department) assisted in digitising ±3 500 documents in the collection. These digital records are available in the Museum’s Research Centre through an online search database.
Contact:
Conservator and Curator: Francis Kathu francis@anglo-boer.co.za
Philatelic Collection
The Document collection of ±10 500 documents include original diaries, correspondence, scrapbooks etc. The Museum embarked on a digitization process whereby the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Family Search Department) assisted in digitising ±3 500 documents in the collection. These digital records are available in the Museum’s Research Centre through an online search database.
Contact:
Conservator and Curator: Francis Kathu francis@anglo-boer.co.za
Library Collection
The Library collection of ±4 500 books, magazines, newspaper articles, pamphlets etc. can be accessed through visiting the Museum’s Research Centre.
Contact:
Librarian and Curator: Dané Swanepoel – dane@anglo-boer.co.za
Photographic Collection
The Photographic collection comprises of ±6 500 original photographic prints, glass negatives, stereographs etc. The biggest part of this collection is available in digital format and can be supplied on specified request.
Contact:
Conservator and Curator: Etna Labuschagne – etna@anglo-boer.co.za
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