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Museums

Main Museum (Gouws street)

The Library-museum complex was opened in 1982. The museum comprises three art halls, a cultural history hall, offices, a reference library and a shop. It is the biggest rural museum in the Transvaal and incorporates three house museums.

Totius House Museum (cnr. Molen- en Esselen street)

The Totius Museum is a typical example of a town house built during the Edwardian period. When the Theological School of the Reformed Church had to be moved from Burgersdorp to Potchefstroom, a ground plan almost identical to the plan of the rector's home in Burgersdorp, was used in Potchefstroom. The house was completed in 1905 and was occupied by prof. Cachet until prof. D.J. du Toit ( totius) succeeded him ass principal af the Theological School in 1911.

Besides being a academic, Totius was also well-known Afrikaans Bible tranlator, poet and cultural leader. The entire content of the house originated from the Du Toit family. Admission to this house museum is free and guided tours are offered.

President Pretorius Museum (Van der Hoff avenue)

The President Pretorius Museum was the resident of Martinus Wessel Pretorius (1819 - 1901)., first president of the South African Republic and founder of Pretoria. He built this old Cape-style dwelling with its coach-house, stable and smithy in 1868.

The homestead with its tranquil farmyard recalls an urban Boer culture, which has long since disappeared.

In 1973 the town council of Potchefstroom purchased the property. After restoration the complex was declared a national monument. Admission to this house museum is free and guided tours are offered.

Goetz / Fleischack Museum (cnr. Gouws- en Potgieter street)

The Goetz / Fleischack Museum was one of the first townhouses erected around the New Market Square (Nuwe Mark plein) ca. 1860. This house is a Karoo-style dwelling with shutters, ceiling and inner doors made of yellow-wood and peach-stone-floors in the pantry and kitchen. The walled-in complex includes a stable and a coach-shed. The dwelling originally belonged to A.M. Goetz, magistate during the First War of Independance (1880 -1881).

After 1902 his daugther and her husband, A.R. Fleischack, founder of one of the oldest existing firms of attorneys in Potchefstroom, occupied the house. The house was declared a national monument in 1984 and was opened as a museum in 1985. Admission to this house museum is free and guided tours are offered.