Before railways connected towns like Matjiesfontein, covered wagons were the lifeline of South Africa
One of my favourite discoveries in Matjiesfontein was the Marie Rawdon Museum. Housed inside the village’s original 1890 railway station, it feels less like a museum and more like stepping into a Victorian time capsule. Every room is filled with fascinating treasures, from antique medicines and handwritten letters to elegant clothing, Anglo-Boer War memorabilia, royal souvenirs, and even old dental equipment. I loved wandering from room to room, never quite knowing what I’d find next. One thing that surprised me was learning it’s one of the largest privately owned museums in South Africa, with thousands of artefacts spread across two floors. It’s the kind of place where history doesn’t sit behind glass. Instead, it quietly surrounds you with stories waiting to be discovered.
This recreated Victorian chapel was one of the museum’s hidden gems
Bible verses like Philippians 4:6 were often displayed proudly in family homes
One of the museum’s recreated Victorian bedrooms offers a glimpse into everyday life in the late 1800s
Among the nursery treasures were these wonderfully quirky wooden clown cupboards, once used to store children’s toys or clothing
One of the museum’s most remarkable treasures is this original 1884 land deed for Matjiesfontein
This charming nursery display captures what childhood might have looked like in Victorian times
The antique reed organ is powered by foot pedals rather than electricity
One room is dedicated to the brave men who battled fires long before modern fire engines
This beautifully framed Victorian sampler features a quote attributed to Queen Victoria
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