Information and notes relating to the March 2019 VASSA outing to the ruins of the VOC post of Paradise, Newlands Forest. Paradise (or t’ Paradijs) was originally a military outpost, which became home to woodcutters, soldiers and slaves. It was occupied from c.1720 to 1820, and was in ruins by the 1830s, when Sir John Herschel […]
Archive | Events
Cape Town City Hall – October 2018 Monthly Talk
OCTOBER 2018 TALK The illustrated talk looks at Cape Town’s iconic City Hall which has recently undergone extensive restoration under the watchful eye of John Rennie’ practice, Rennie Scurr Adendorff Architects. SPEAKERS: John Rennie: DATE: Tuesday, 16th October 2018
Stofbergsfontein, West Coast – November 2017 Monthly Outing
STOFBERGSFONTEIN, West Coast National Park Image: Stellenbosch University Saturday 25th November Leader: Jane Prinsloo Houses are small and roadways are narrow, with limited parking, therefore the number of members on this outing is limited to 20. If you would like to go please email: Pat Kramer: studio@iafrica.com to put your name on the list. Entry fee to the park is […]
Stofbergsfontein & Churchhaven – Society Talk, November 2017
TOPIC: Stofbergsfontein and Churchhaven on the Langebaan Lagoon: the Challenge of Accommodating Change while Maintaining a Special Way of Life Image: Courtesy Stellenbosch University SPEAKER: Jane Prinsloo DATE: Tuesday, 21st November 2017 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads NB: As this is our last talk of the year, drinks and snacks […]
NB: OCTOBER OUTING – Cancelled!
Please note that the October outing to Franschhoek, due to happen on 28 October 2017, has been cancelled due to unforseen circumstances. Apologies for the inconvenience. VASSA
Vernacular Architecture & Cape Furniture – Monthly Outing, September 2017
Saturday 30th September: 10:15 for 10:30 The outing this month focuses on two aspects of our vernacular heritage, namely: building a vernacular house in the late 20th century and a collection of Cape furniture. We will be looking at the Cape house that Dirkie Neethling built in Somerset West in 1987 using recycled materials. He will give a short talk […]
Archival Research – Monthly Talk, September 2017
TOPIC: How archival research can provide context to vernacular buildings SPEAKER: Nigel Amschwand DATE: Tuesday, 19th September 2017 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Nigel’s talk will present the various archival sources that were used to research his book ‘1847 dispossession and migration’. He examined the story of three farms […]
Clift Granite Works, Paarl – Monthly Outing, August 2017
AUGUST OUTING CLIFT GRANITE WORKS, PAARL DATE & TIME: 09:45 for 10:00 on Saturday 26th August 2017. Outing coordinator: Nigel Amschwand DIRECTIONS TO GET THERE: 21 Concordia Street, Suider Paarl. Follow N1 to Main St/R101/R45 in Paarl. Take exit 55 from N1. Follow Main St/R101/R45, turn right into Pine St, onto Tabak St, turn right into Station Road then left into Concordia. […]
Wupperthal: People and Place – Monthly Talk, August 2017
AUGUST 2017 –TALK TOPIC: Wupperthal, an object of people and place SPEAKER: Marike Franklin DATE: Tuesday, 15th August 2017 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Wupperthal In an increasingly homogenised world, unique cultural landscapes form the basis for national identity. Wupperthal is a place that reflects an intimate relationship between […]
Darling, West Coast – July 2017 Monthly Outing
JULY OUTING: FARMS OF THE DARLING DISTRICT This month we will be travelling out of the city to visit four farms in the Darling area. None of the four are showcase houses – they are on working farms and lived in by families. As such they reveal all the problems of living in an old building […]
Swartland Rural Heritage – Monthly Talk, July 2017
TOPIC: Undertaking the Swartland Rural Heritage Survey SPEAKER: André Pentz DATE: Tuesday, 18th July 2017 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Images from Alex Dodge and The Swartland Rural Heritage Survey by Andre Pentz Andre Pentz prepared the Swartland Rural Heritage Survey in 2014. The survey has helped enormously […]
Farms of the Darling District – Monthly Outing, July 2017
FARMS OF THE DARLING DISTRICT; DATE &TIME: 09:30 on Saturday 29th July 2017
Using ‘heritage’ to protect public spaces – Monthly Talk June 2017
TOPIC: Using ‘heritage’ to protect public spaces from inappropriate re-purposing: the case of Green Point Common SPEAKER: Dr. Antonia Malan DATE: Tuesday, 20th June 2017 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads The City of Cape Town is the custodian of Green Point Common, which […]
OUTING: 26th-28th May
CEDERBERG The outing this month is the Weekend Away on the 26th-28th May to the Cederberg, visiting the Biedouw Valley and the valley of the Doring River. This is fully subscribed, so we trust that those fortunate enough to be attending will have a great time! PLEASE NOTE: OUTINGS ARE FOR PAID-UP VASSA MEMBERS ONLY! […]
TALK – 16 MAY 2017
DOCUMENTING DEEP HISTORY The Olifants-Doorn River Water Resources Project: The raising of Clanwilliam Dam: Heritage Mitigation SPEAKER: Wouter Fourie DATE: Tuesday, 16thMay 2017 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads The Clanwilliam Dam was commissioned in the early 1930s after it was found that the Van Rhynsdorp District irrigation scheme […]
MARCH TALK & AGM 2017 (21 March 2017)
TOPIC: AGM & Quiz: Testing your vernacular architecture knowledge! DATE: Tuesday, 21st March 2017 (Human Rights Day) TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads A reminder that our annual AGM takes place this Tuesday (21st) and it is imperative that you attend to hear […]
FEBRUARY OUTING (25 Feb 2017)
RIEBEECK AND HERITAGE SQUARES, CAPE TOWN DATE & TIME: 10:15 for 10:30 on Saturday 25th February 2017. We will meet on Riebeeck Square on the corner of Shortmarket and Bree Street from where we will be looking at the historical fabric on and surrounding the square. This will give a valuable insight into the impact […]
FEBRUARY TALK (21 Feb 2017)
TOPIC: The impact of new development proposals on the historic fabric of the Bo Kaap SPEAKER: Prof. Fabio Todeschini DATE: Tuesday, 21st February 2017 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Prof. Fabio Todeschini will be discussing the controversial new development that recently was approved […]
Excursion – May 2017: The Cedarberg / Biedouw Valley
FARMS, RUINS AND ROCK ART, CEDARBERG 26th – 28th May 2017 This year we are having a change of pace and turning our attention to the Cedarberg, where we plan to visit the Biedouw Valley and the valley of the Doring River.
NOVEMBER OUTING: (26 Nov 2016)
BOKBAAI, West Coast PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS OUTING IS FOR PAID-UP MEMBERS ONLY!! DATE &TIME: 09:45 for 10:00 on Saturday 26th November 2016. Our outing this month is to Buck Bay (Bokbaai), where John Duckitt will lead us on a tour of this historic farm which belonged to the Duckitt family for many years. Directions: […]
NOVEMBER TALK – 15 NOV 2016
TOPIC: The farm Elandsberg in the Roggeberg SPEAKER: Nigel Amschwand DATE: Tuesday, 15th November 2016 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Nigel Amschwand will speak on the history of the farm in the Sutherland district which the Vernacs surveyed last year. The farm Elandsberg […]
WORCESTER OUTING (29 October)
DATE AND TIME: 08:45 for 09:00 on Saturday 29th October 2016. WORCESTER Our outing this month is to Worcester, where Julian Kritzinger will lead us on a tour around the town explaining the history of the buildings and the families as we go along. We will meet at 9am at the Teacup Tea Garden, 21 Baring Street. […]
OCTOBER 2016 -TALK (18 Oct)
TOPIC: The old hotels of Cape Town 1890-1911 SPEAKER: Michael Walker DATE: Tuesday, 18th October 2016 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Mike Walker will give an illustrated talk on the old hotels of Cape Town, most of which live only in records and personal […]
SEPTEMBER OUTING (24 Sept)
Valkenburg and the Royal Observatory, Observatory, Cape Town We will be visiting Valkenburg first and then going on to the Observatory where we will be able to picnic on the banks overlooking the Black River (weather permitting). The visit to Valkenburg will be led by Trevor Thorold and the Royal Observatory by Ian Glass. […]
SEPTEMBER 2016 -TALK (20 Sept)
TOPIC: Two histories of Valkenburg: historic farmstead and psychiatric hospital SPEAKER: Trevor Thorold DATE: Tuesday, 20th September 2016 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Trevor Thorold will give an illustrated talk on Valkenberg, both the “Manor House” and the Psychiatric Hospital. Valkenburg Hospital Trevor […]
AUGUST 2016 OUTING (27 AUG)
BOSCHENDAL: Continuity and change. Outing to be lead by the heritage planner Sarah Winter Coordination: Vernac Committee member: André van Graan: Cellphone no. 082 202 0766 Date and Time: 10:45 for 11:00 on Saturday 27th AUGUST 2016 We will meet at the parking area behind the central werf. Approaching the werf via the stone pine […]
AUGUST 2016 TALK (16 Aug)
TOPIC: Tracing the history of the farm Bokbaai on the West Coast SPEAKER: Kathy Schulz DATE: Tuesday, 16th August 2016 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads This talk will be a powerpoint introduction on how to undertake research in the archives as Kathy will […]
JULY OUTING: Fernwood (30 July)
OUTING: Fernwood House, Bishopscourt, Cape Town Site plan of Fernwood with the entrance on the top right-hand corner. Date and time: Saturday 30th JULY 2016: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm Location : Bishopscourt, Cape Town. Getting to Fernwood: From the M3 take the Rhodes Avenue exit towards Kirstenbosch. We must use the Rhodes Avenue entrance (white […]
JULY TALK (19 July 2016)
TOPIC: Records of a field trip to the Karoo The Karoo Research Group at the homestead on the farm Bloemfontein in the Kareeberge. Photograph: John Kramer SPEAKER: Pat Kramer DATE: Tuesday, 19 July 2016 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Pat Kramer and […]
JUNE OUTING: 25 June 2016
Poespaskraal Farm, Fish Hoek Valley and Glencairn Watermill Details: A visit to Poespaskraal Farm, Fish Hoek Valley (morning) and after lunch the Glencairn Watermill (Picnic lunch at the Farm) Date and Time: Saturday 25 June 2016: 10 00 am – 3 30 pm Location : Capri , Sunnydale and Glencairn Valley. Organiser: Ronnie Glass –cell 083 […]
JUNE TALK: 21 June 2016
TOPIC: THE STORY OF SILVERMINE VALLEY AND ITS FARMS Image courtesy of hikingcapetown.files.wordpress.com SPEAKER: Derek Stuart-Findlay DATE: Tuesday, 21 June 2016 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads The Silvermine Valley has always been strategic in terms of access to the South Peninsula. The […]
MAY OUTING: La Cotte – 28 May 2016
OUTING: La Cotte (picnic at the Huguenot Memorial Museum DATE AND TIME: Saturday 28 May 2016: 10:30-14:00 Location: Franschhoek Getting there: Take the N1 from Cape Town. Then Exit 47 and turn right onto the R44. Continue to the Simondium Road. Turn left and continue past Babylonstoren to the junction with the R45. Turn right […]
MAY TALK: 17 May 2016
TOPIC: Rock Engravings of 19th-century Karoo domestic architecture SPEAKERS: Simon Hall and Vuyiswa Lupuwana from the University of Cape Town DATE: Tuesday, 17 May 2016 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads This talk introduces research on 18th and 19th century archaeological residues in […]
APRIL OUTING UPDATE!
OUTING: Mostert’s Mill, Cape Town: Family & Friends Day 23 April Mostert’s Mill will be opened for us to visit the oldest working windmill in the Southern Hemisphere. From the Mill we will be going to Welgelegen, where we will be shown around this historical house that was reconstructed by Herbert Baker. We will also […]
MARCH OUTING UPDATE!
MARCH OUTING Please note: As the last Saturday of March coincides with the Easter weekend, there will be no VASSA outing this month.
TALK & AGM: 15 March 2016
TOPIC: Fernwood, Newlands Image from Google maps SPEAKER: Andrew Berman DATE: Tuesday, 15 March 2016 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Andrew Berman has been working on heritage aspects of proposals to develop Fernwood for a number of years. He’ll give us an introduction […]
FEB OUTING: FLEURBAIX (27 February 2016)
DATE AND TIME: Saturday 27 February 2016– 10h15 for 10h30 Outing Leader: Ivan Flint Contact member: André van Graan 082 202 0766 Location: Stellenbosch Getting there Take the N2 from Cape Town. Take Exit 33, the Baden Powell off-ramp, and turn left onto the R310 Baden Powell Drive. Proceed along Baden Powell Drive as far […]
FEB 2016 TALK: 16 February
RESTORING FLEURBAIX SPEAKER: Ivan Flint DATE: Tuesday, 16 February 2016 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads Ivan Flint will be speaking on the work that his practice, Flint Associate Architects has undertaken at the historic farm, Fleurbaix (Previously known as Fleurbaai) on […]
OUTING: 28 November 2015
SPIER AND VERGENOEG OUTING DATE AND TIME: Saturday 28 November 2015- 09h45 for 10h00 Outing Leader: David Gibbs Location: Lyndoch Getting there Take the N2 from Cape Town. Take Exit 33, the Baden Powell off-ramp and turn left onto the R310 Baden Powell Road. Spier Estate is 9,2 km away on your right hand side. […]
TALK: 17 NOVEMBER
TOPIC: Cape Vernacular Landscape Architecture – lessons from Ian Ford: understanding local place-making traditions and interpreting the Werf Rehabilitation at Spier. SPEAKER: David Gibbs DATE: Tuesday, 17 November 2015 TIME: 19h45 for 20h00 VENUE: The Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, Newlands, at the intersection of Mariendahl and Campground Roads David Gibbs will be speaking on the work of Ian Ford in historic […]