The town of Heidelberg was established in 1862 by the German settler Heinrich Julius Ueckermann who named the town after his alma mater. It started life as a small trading town and is an excellent example of the architectural splendour of Victorian towns in South Africa as many of the buildings date back to 1890 – 1910 and are well preserved.

Mr Bouwer Wiersma, a resident of the town with an in-depth knowledge of the history of both the buildings and former residents of the town will take us to see about 18 buildings or sites (time permitting). Amongst several sites that will be visited will be the Methodist Church with its stained glass windows imported to commemorate Queen Victoria’s jubilee, Klipkerk – the Dutch Reformed Church commissioned by town founder Ueckermann, the Ou Tronk (old Jail) where Simon van As met his demise and whose ghost is rumoured to haunt the town and the Heidelberg Town Hall that once was the celebrated capital of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR 1880 – 1883) under the triumvirate of Paul Kruger, PJ Joubert and MW Pretorius.

• Date: Saturday, 29 September, 2018
• Time: 7:30 to depart at 7:45 Sharp!
• Meet at: The Planetarium parking area, Wits University
• Note: This is a coach tour and participants may not join in private cars.
• Lunch: We will stop at the Eskort Bacon Factory at the end of the tour and get a pre-ordered snack. Orders will be placed on the day (or you could bring your own lunch)
• Bring: Hat, water bottle, walking shoes, sunblock, rain gear
• Return: Approximately 3 pm
• Charge: Non-members R380 members R330 (Hosted by ArchSoc Northern Branch

Booking is essential: Contact Anita Arnott, Email arnottanita@gmail.com / tel. 011 795 4056