Koopmans-de Wet House

About Koopmans-de Wet House

The Koopmans-De Wet House is situated in the City Bowl, which is convenient for visitors that have found self-catering apartments or a hotel in the heart of Cape Town. This historical gem is, as far as is known, the first private townhouse in South Africa to be opened to the public. The house was opened as a museum on 10 March 1914.

Dating from the early 1900's, this museum is furnished as a lived-in house of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It has a superb collection of Cape furniture, Chinese and Japanese ceramics, Dutch Delftware (blue and white porcelain crockery), paintings, glass and silverware. The facade is attributed to the architect Louis Thibault and sculptor Anton Anreith. The house has interior decorative wall murals that are really beautiful to see up close.

There is a human element too, as the many servants and slaves that were instrumental in the running of the home are honoured, and their hard work recognised. The last private owners to live here were the sisters, Marie and Margaritha Koopmans-de Wet. The house was opened as a museum after their deaths. Marie was no ordinary woman, though. She was known for helping the widows and orphans of the Boers that were killed in the South African War. Visiting the museum will also give you a peek into the life and context of this generous person.

The museum is situated in Strand Street, which is close to the Company's Garden, the many restaurants and shops of Kloof Street, the V & A Waterfront, the CTICC, and the cableway up to the iconic flat top of Table Mountain.