Drostdy Museum
Drostdy Museum
4.5
09:00 - 17:00
Monday
09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 17:00
Thursday
09:00 - 17:00
Friday
09:00 - 17:00
Saturday
10:00 - 15:00
Sunday
10:00 - 15:00
About
This former government building, an architectural treasure in itself, is now a museum containing some impressive artifacts. Particularly noteworthy is a collection of late 18th and early 19th century Cape furniture.
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See what travellers are saying
- Gary BondNew York City, New York6 contributionsVery interesting museum worth a visit. One of our museum highlights in South Africa.My wife and I love smaller museums that tell a balanced story of the community and times. We found the Drotsdy Museum one of those places. We spent over 2 hours here and visited the multiple buildings that comprise the museum. Be sure to start at the main museum building and get the museum map and suggestions on a route to follow. The museum focuses on the early times up to the 1900s. We lived in Botswana for years and learned a lot about the early Dutch Settlements, the Boer War, and the mistreatment of people of color. We felt that we walked away with a more balanced view that is offered by many local museums. The museum staff was very helpful. We found the section of the museum area that housed individual artisan houses very interesting. Highly recommend a visit if you enjoy history. Lastly, I learned in this museum that the Dutch had found a way to put in ceilings (drop ceilings) and put a layer of mud that acted as a fire barrier. If a fire broke out in the grass thatched roof, there was a greater possibility of putting out the fire. All over the world, old grass-roofed homes disappeared over the years and this partially answered how so many Swellendam homes were preserved. Gary and Constance New York, NYVisited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 22 September 2023
- Mudeford123Christchurch, United Kingdom344 contributionsWell worth a visitThere are three sites to visit all of them interesting in their own way. The lady selling the tickets was very helpful. Well worth a visit if you happen to be in Swellendam. Not too crowded when we were there. Plenty of information although in the Ambagswerf some of the numbers had been removed.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 October 2023
- Paulista668322 contributionsGreat Museum in a Gem of a TownSwellendam is a lovely town and the Drostdty museum is well worth a visit. It is spread over three separate whitewashed buildings in colonial style. These include the official residence of the district administrator, a jail and an area where craftsmen worked. There is also a building with old carriages (including a hearse!) and historical posters from the Anglo-Boer war highlighting the atrocities committed in the British concentration camps where thousands of women and children died. Some of the exhibits could be better presented in colored prints and there are too many dull black and white maps and grainy pictures but overall great place. The tourist office and a pretty good café are also part of the complex.Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten 14 November 2023
- Helena BCape Town Central, South Africa425 contributionsGem of a MuseumSwellendam is the third oldest town in South Africa. The Drostdy Museum does an excellent job of displaying the history of this beautiful town. The museum consits of three areas and the entrance fee covers all the sites and at reception you will get a map and explanation of the route you can follow. The displays succeeds in showing the history and customs and lifestyles of the citizens through the years. Descriptions are also in English. Do not miss this museum when you visit Swellendam.Visited December 2022Travelled with friendsWritten 21 November 2023
- Jonathan WNiton, United Kingdom5 contributionsA surprisingly impressive attraction in a small townA really interesting museum spread over three sites (easy walking distance). Loads of information and historical facts to interest all ages (there are even 2 donkeys). A surprisingly impressive attraction in a small town. Definitely worth a visit.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 December 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
473 reviews
Excellent
231
Very good
201
Average
39
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Jonathan W
Niton, UK5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
A really interesting museum spread over three sites (easy walking distance). Loads of information and historical facts to interest all ages (there are even 2 donkeys). A surprisingly impressive attraction in a small town.
Definitely worth a visit.
Definitely worth a visit.
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helena B
Cape Town Central, South Africa425 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
Swellendam is the third oldest town in South Africa. The Drostdy Museum does an excellent job of displaying the history of this beautiful town. The museum consits of three areas and the entrance fee covers all the sites and at reception you will get a map and explanation of the route you can follow. The displays succeeds in showing the history and customs and lifestyles of the citizens through the years. Descriptions are also in English. Do not miss this museum when you visit Swellendam.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paulista668
São Paulo322 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Swellendam is a lovely town and the Drostdty museum is well worth a visit. It is spread over three separate whitewashed buildings in colonial style. These include the official residence of the district administrator, a jail and an area where craftsmen worked. There is also a building with old carriages (including a hearse!) and historical posters from the Anglo-Boer war highlighting the atrocities committed in the British concentration camps where thousands of women and children died. Some of the exhibits could be better presented in colored prints and there are too many dull black and white maps and grainy pictures but overall great place. The tourist office and a pretty good café are also part of the complex.
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mudeford123
Christchurch, UK344 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
There are three sites to visit all of them interesting in their own way. The lady selling the tickets was very helpful. Well worth a visit if you happen to be in Swellendam. Not too crowded when we were there. Plenty of information although in the Ambagswerf some of the numbers had been removed.
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary Bond
New York City, NY6 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
My wife and I love smaller museums that tell a balanced story of the community and times. We found the Drotsdy Museum one of those places. We spent over 2 hours here and visited the multiple buildings that comprise the museum. Be sure to start at the main museum building and get the museum map and suggestions on a route to follow.
The museum focuses on the early times up to the 1900s. We lived in Botswana for years and learned a lot about the early Dutch Settlements, the Boer War, and the mistreatment of people of color. We felt that we walked away with a more balanced view that is offered by many local museums. The museum staff was very helpful.
We found the section of the museum area that housed individual artisan houses very interesting. Highly recommend a visit if you enjoy history. Lastly, I learned in this museum that the Dutch had found a way to put in ceilings (drop ceilings) and put a layer of mud that acted as a fire barrier. If a fire broke out in the grass thatched roof, there was a greater possibility of putting out the fire. All over the world, old grass-roofed homes disappeared over the years and this partially answered how so many Swellendam homes were preserved.
Gary and Constance
New York, NY
The museum focuses on the early times up to the 1900s. We lived in Botswana for years and learned a lot about the early Dutch Settlements, the Boer War, and the mistreatment of people of color. We felt that we walked away with a more balanced view that is offered by many local museums. The museum staff was very helpful.
We found the section of the museum area that housed individual artisan houses very interesting. Highly recommend a visit if you enjoy history. Lastly, I learned in this museum that the Dutch had found a way to put in ceilings (drop ceilings) and put a layer of mud that acted as a fire barrier. If a fire broke out in the grass thatched roof, there was a greater possibility of putting out the fire. All over the world, old grass-roofed homes disappeared over the years and this partially answered how so many Swellendam homes were preserved.
Gary and Constance
New York, NY
Written 22 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John
17 contributions
Feb 2023
An interesting museum which doesn't suffer the problem of having too many words to read. Gave a useful insight into life under the former Dutch and British rulers
Written 9 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pi
Devon, UK13 contributions
Feb 2023
Set in three locations, very close to each other. All three are gems and these important historical buildings and setting are far more impressive than these photographs (or mine) show. There should be at least one of the kitchen garden, for example.
Sonia, in the reception and gift shop of the jail is a treasure herself and extremely helpful and kind when our daughter became ill. Thank you!
Sonia, in the reception and gift shop of the jail is a treasure herself and extremely helpful and kind when our daughter became ill. Thank you!
Written 8 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris
3 contributions
Jan 2023
Nice to see the house and furniture and pictures from the past of this house. It is a pity that it is not well maintained. That all makes a very neglected impression. There are no picture postcards for sale and no brochure available.
Written 2 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gillferg
Shrewsbury, United Kingdom73 contributions
Nov 2022
We had a very brief visit as we were late arriving but the staff were very understanding and allowed us enough time to see as much as possible. Very well preserved buildings and carts. The display in the prison was very thought provoking and should be shared more widely.
Written 12 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
259harry
Somerset West, South Africa2 contributions
Oct 2022
A visit to this Museum is highly recommended. The museum is well kept and maintained and my compliments to the management, staff, and municipality...well done! It is a very informative visit and please don't miss this experience.
Written 14 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingDROSTDY MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Drostdy Museum
- Drostdy Museum is open:
- Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00
- Sat - Sun 10:00 - 15:00
- Hotels near Drostdy Museum:
- (0.12 km) Boutique Hotel Roosje van de Kaap
- (0.18 km) The Hideaway
- (0.20 km) Aan De Eike Guest House
- (0.19 km) African Shades B&B
- (0.24 km) Bergview Guesthouse Swellendam
- Restaurants near Drostdy Museum:
- (0.03 km) Drostdy Restaurant
- (0.04 km) Field & Fork
- (0.04 km) Country Deli
- (0.06 km) Republic of Swellendam
- (0.08 km) Oishii Foods