Heritage month is being celebrated by the Modderfontein Conservation Society with walks round the heritage precinct of the village and a talk by Jonathan Stone, a highly respected Heritage Architect.

Walks will take place on Heritage Day – 24 September – at 09:00. They begin at The Dynamite Company Museum at 2 Main Street, Modderfontein (just two doors from 33 High Street Restaurant) and last about two hours. The walks will take place on Heritage Day – 24 September – at 09:00. The cost is R50. Booking is essential.

In addition to the walks, The Dynamite Company Museum will be open to the public during the morning. This will give visitors the opportunity to see why the Modderfontein Dynamite Factory was called “A Power for Prosperity” in the area, and how it contributed to the wealth and development of the country as a whole. The original manager’s home – Franz Hoenig Haus – will also be open (see main image). This is the one day in the year that this historic mansion can be viewed, and there is no charge.

The talk will take place in the Modderfontein Town Hall at 1 Casino Road – opposite the bowls club – at 19:30 on Thursday 20 September. Jonathan Stone's presentation will include:

• A brief overview of the of the old Springkell Sanatorium (Now Heritage Retirement Village).
• Hospitals in early Johannesburg.
• The Springkell Sanatorium considered as an important development.
• Principles of Conservation generally and as applied to Springkell.
• The Conservation Management Plan developed for the Springkell Sanatorium.

Visitors are welcome to attend the talk.  An entrance fee of R30.00 is charged to help cover expenses. 

For more information and bookings, contact Keith Martin on 011 608 2864 or 082 450 4003.