Kruger House, Pretoria

The Kruger House ( afrikaans Krugerhuis, english Kruger House ) is the former residence of Paul Kruger, the former president of the South African Republic. It's in the Kerkstraat / 60 Church Street in Pretoria, South Africa and is a museum.

History

The house was designed in 1884 by architect Tom Claridge and built under the direction of Charles Clark. A special feature is the cement with which the house was built. Due to poor quality milk instead of water was mixed into the cement mixture. Furthermore, the house was the first house of Pretoria a power supply, so that it could be fitted with electric light. 1891, the Kruger house was connected to the telephone network. Kruger's wife Gezina died here during his exile on 20 July 1901. The Government of the Union of South Africa bought the house in 1925 and established in 1934 as a museum. The original facility was supplemented with elements from the same historical period. Since 1936, the house is a memorial.

Construction of the house

On the porch of the house are two stone lions, which was given on the occasion of his 71st birthday on October 10, 1896 by mine owners Barney Barnato President Kruger. Inside the house can be the reception room of Ms. Kruger, the two offices, the guest bedroom, the dining room, the bedroom of the Kruger family as well as the pantry and visit the kitchen. However, the reception room of the President plays a special role in the house. Paul Kruger received in this room many people. The most famous include Cecil Rhodes, Marthinus Theunis Steyn or Barney Barnato. In addition, here the morning service was held every day, in which each occupant of the house had to be present. Even the guard on duty had to stand in prayer on the porch. During the morning worship was played on the organ.

The backyard

At the end of the backyard is the railway carriage of the President. It was used for state visits in Natal and the Orange Free State. As Kruger went into exile in Europe, this car was on the way to Lourenco Marques as a residence.

In an exhibition hall owned by the young Kruger is shown. At the entrance the state coach and an ox cart ( Afrikaans: Ossawa ) is issued. The state gifts form a further part of this exhibition.

The exile hall directly opposite deals with Kruger's trip to Europe, his reception in France and in the Netherlands, Queen Wilhelmina. The last part of the exhibition shows the images of the state funeral on 16 December 1904 in Pretoria.