FOURTH QUARTER PROGRAMME
OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2015
OCTOBER
WALKING TOUR
‘A TALE OF TWO SYNAGOGUES’
SUNDAY, 11th OCTOBER
We have come to associate houses of worship with ornate Baroque, imposing Gothic, or exotic Byzantine detailing, but Killarney’s two synagogues are uncompromisingly Modernist. The Orthodox Oxford and Reform Emmanuel synagogues of Killarney are landmarks that date from the same period, and exhibit interesting similarities as well as stark differences.
Modernist architecture is often perceived as uninteresting or downright ugly, but our visit to these landmark statements by two seminal architects of the movement may force you to reconsider these preconceptions. The buildings have a beautiful sense of proportion, alluring external detail, and magnificent interiors.
Men: please make sure that you bring a hat or head covering or you will not be allowed access.
Women: please ensure that your knees and shoulders are covered.
GUIDES : Adam Golding and Brett Wilks
TIME : 14h00
PARK : Parking lot on Main Road, Riviera, between North and Riviera
Roads, across the road from Riviera Mansions
COST : R80 for members, R130 for non-members
DURATION : 2.5 hours
MAXIMUM No: 50
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WALKING TOUR
‘JOHANNESBURG – PLACE OF MIGRATION’
SATURDAY, 17th OCTOBER
Kathy Munro and Dave Gurney, both passionateabout heritage and Joburg's past, introduce our city as a place of migration. Johannesburg has always been the magnet that attracted people from all classes and a diversity of backgrounds. Some were immigrants, others were migrants from other parts of South Africa. What they had in common was a desire to get rich, improve their circumstances or just make a living, and all were ambitious with hopes for a better future. An identity and an ethnic sense of place were quickly stamped on their dusty highveld environment.
On this tour we explore where some of these early migrant communities settled by walking through the streets of Maboneng and New Doornfontein. Here we find a microcosm of the evolution of the city from farmland to modern educational and residential hub. We unpack the layers of history as farmers gave way to miners and new settlers first found their feet in the city. The successful mine magnates favoured the area, and showed off the first signs of material wealth in their new mansions, but they came and went as higher Witwatersrand ridges were of greater appeal for fine residences.Bettelheim was the Turkish consul who lived in his onion domed turreted home. Doornfontein attracted Jewish immigrants from the Pale of Europe.Later came labourers who clawed an existence and lived in slum yards. A theatre appeared (the Alhambra) and we explore the social history as to how people lived, shopped, worshipped, were educated and entertained themselves.
In the thirties and forties the area went into a decline, but today Maboneng and New Doornfontein is experiencing a vibrant rejuvenation and historical impact studies (one has recently completed by Dave Gurney) have become part of the recovery of the history of old Johannesburg . We shall provide an old and a new map and we guarantee a fascinating walking tour.
Wear strong shoes, and a hat. Bring a bottle of water.
GUIDES : Prof Katherine Munro and Dave Gurney
TIME : 14h00
PARK : On the street near Arts on Main, Fox Street
MEET : Arts on Main, cor Fox / Sivewright. Look for the frontage of the
DF Corlett building under the Joe Slovo flyover. At the end of the tour stop by for a coffee in Maboneng (for your own account)
COST : R80 for members, R130 for non-members
DURATION : 3 hours
MAXIMUM No: 50
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WALKING TOUR
‘THE GAUTENG LEGISLATURE’
SATURDAY, 24th OCTOBER
The Gauteng Legislature (previously the City Hall) is one of our most important buildings. It was the seat of municipal government from 1910 to 1972, and the focal point of many celebrations, including our golden jubilee and those marking the end of the First and Second World Wars. But it was also an important site of political expression and protest – initially robust and rowdy, but later silent and dignified.
In 1994 Fassler Kamstra & Holmes Architects were tasked with transforming this old Edwardian building with “rat infested tunnels and ducts saturated with the dust of ages” into a modern and functioning home of the Provincial Legislature of Gauteng. By stripping away 80 years of accumulations Mira Fassler and Marcus Holmes exposed the historic shell, and then enriched the original architectural details with a palette of “veld-bound earth reds and sun-burst ochres”.
Join the architects in exploring the building, its history, and the process to transform it into the heart of our vibrant city.
GUIDES : Mira Fassler and Marcus Holmes
TIME : 14h00
PARK : The parking under Beyers Naude Square, accessed from
Albertina Sisulu Street – meet the guides at the entrance facing Rissik Street
COST : R80 for members, R130 for non-members
DURATION : 2.5 hours
MAXIMUM No: 50
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MEMBERS ONLY
ART COLLECTION TOUR
‘SOUTH32’S MAGNIFICENT ART COLLECTION’
SATURDAY, 31 OCTOBER
We are privileged to be able to visit the art collection of South32 (formerly BHP Billiton) housed in their premises in the heart of Johannesburg’s historic financial district. The curator, Natasha Fuller, will be our guide in a collection that spans some of the most important South African artists of the 20th century. Book early to avoid disappointment, as our tour can only accommodate 20 people!
GUIDES : Pascale Petit and Natasha Fuller
PARK : South32, 17 Simmonds Street, Johannesburg
TIME : 10h00 – please note early starting time!
DURATION : 1.5 to 2 hours
COST : R80.00 – members only!
MAXIMUM No: 20
Bookings can only be made through the office – / 011482 3349 weekday mornings
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WALKING TOUR
‘PALLINGHURST ROAD IN JACARANDA TIME’
SATURDAY, 31st OCTOBER
This tour enjoys jacarandas near and far because Forest Town has almost as many as Westcliff itself. But we will be concentrating on the history and the architecture of Westcliff’s oldest street and grand houses.
The houses range in age from Ye Rokkes which was built in 1902 through to the cottage on the rocks completed in 2011 and an award winning design in glass and steel. The most beautiful may be Duntreath designed by Baker and Fleming using koppie stone on the steep slope of the East Westcliff Ridge, but Ferryvale with its enormous gardens and Westcliff itself are also outstanding homes. Sir Frederick Spencer Lister’s home, Cranborne, has been modernised in part to reveal the view to the east
GUIDES : William Gaul and Sebastian Chatov
TIME : 14h00
PARK : Morris Jones building, 54 The Valley Road, Westcliff
COST : R80 for members, R130 for non-members
DURATION : 3 hours
MAXIMUM No: 50
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NOVEMBER
WALKING TOUR
‘WESTCLIFF: PURPLE PASSAGES’
SATURDAY, 7th NOVEMBER
Starting from the Ridge School (originally the Woolsack and home of Sir Aubrey Woolls-Sampson) which has fine views south, the tour proceeds to Glenshiel, Baker and Fleming’s wonderful butterfly wing home designed for Sir William Dalrymple where we go inside to admire the paneling and the rather grand hall, then out into the gardens. If the hail hasn’t damaged them you can scent the roses from the terrace.
Down the ridge to Pallinghurst, now the Hope School to encounter Hope Schumacher whose husband Raymond designed and built the original house. The Views look right over to the Zoo Lake) Then back up a rather steep hill to The Stables, lovely gardens and a house which has evolved with time from housing horses to some much more distinguished residents.
We finish with a visit to Sylvio and Eleanor Rech’s modern African version of Baker’s Arts and Crafts and views of The Tree House which he built next door. Lots of jacarandas, fascinating architecture and important pioneering personalities.
GUIDES : Val Hammerton and Colin Berger
TIME : 14h00
PARK : The Ridge School, Woolston Road, Westcliff
COST : R80 for members, R130 for non-members
DURATION : 3 hours
MAXIMUM No: 50
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GHOST BUS TOUR
‘HAUNTS AND HUNTS OF JOBURG’S SPECTRES’
FRIDAY, 13th NOVEMBER
Join us in our luxury coach on a special and spooky evening tour of Johannesburg as you have never experienced it before. meet the shades, shadows and spirits, hear about murders, mayhem and mystery, experience the hauntings, the chill down your spine, hoaxes and havoc!
What to bring? Comfortable walking shoes, a torch, a camera, pub money, a garlic necklace and something warm to wear in the cemetery at the witching hour.
We will be stopping for steak / chicken rolls and drinks to fortify ourselves for the cemetery. these will be for your account.
What you need to know:
Park in the Sunnyside Park Hotel parking lot. Please do not wait at the bus. Bein the pub or on the outside deck by 6.45pm, where you will be fetched by the navigator. If you are planning to eat at the pub please get there by 5.30 as the tour starts at 7.00 pm sharp and ends at about midnight.
MEET : Deanna Kirby
PARK : Sunnyside Park Hotel, 2 York Road, Parktown
DURATION : 7.00 pm till midnight
COST : R250.00 for members and R300.00 for non-members
FOOD AND DRINK FOR YOUR OWN ACCOUNT
MAXIMUM NO: 50
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HERITAGE TREASURE HUNT
‘THE AMAZING RACE’
SATURDAY, 21st NOVEMBER
Thirteen decades span our history,
Thirteen decades of intrigue and mystery.
You know this City, you have its measure,
You love its streets, its sky, always azure.
Follow the clues to find the plaques
Which yield the magic letters.
Put together they lead to treasure,
The goal of our endeavours.
So, will you accept the challenge?
And join us on this quest?
Then form your team, apply your minds
And travel north, east, south and west.
HOSTS : Adam Golding, Mark Straw and Brett McDougall
TIME : 10h00
MEET : At Holy Family College, 40 Oxford Road, Parktown
(entrance on 3rd Street)
COST : R200.00 per team, consisting of 2 to 5 members
DURATION : At your leisure, but the first team to arrive at the final destination
wins a prize, and the cut-off time is 18h00
MAXIMUM No: 20 teams
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BUS TOUR
‘JOHANNESBURG’S FIRE STATIONS’
SATURDAY, 28th NOVEMBER
In 1889 when The Globe Theatre went on fire two gentlemen battled to put it out, castigating the crowd who had gathered round as cowards for standing by. When the bar next door was ablaze those bystanders nobly stepped forward and saved the liquor!
It was clearly time for professionals to be employed to do the job so Johannesburg got its first fire station on the Market Square. We can’t show you that one but there are various successors still around with a range of architecture from the Doll’s House in Berea to the much grander Modern Movement of Central with its bronzed firemen adorning the main façade.
Turffontein’s old station is still there (it’s really a pub now) though replaced by a modern one next door. The sandstone fire tower still crowns Fairview. We are not allowing anyone to climb it though the view would be magnificent. Mayfair, Rosebank, Roosevelt Park another range of architecture and stories from their gallant fire-fighting days.
Municipal architecture is usually rather grand and often pompous, but fire stations are different and sometimes even quirky. We’ll be trailblazers on this tour which is reminds us that we have had some dreadful fires in the past and fortunately the most treasured buildings are still standing – from Northwards in 1911 to Wits Central Block in 1931 and recently the hall at Holy Family College.
GUIDES : Flo Bird and David Forrest
TIME : 14h00
PARK : Sunnyside Park Hotel, 2 York Road, Parktown
COST : R150.00 for members, R200.00 for non-members
DURATION : 3 hours
MAXIMUM No: 60
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DECEMBER
LUNCH TOUR
‘LUNCH AT THE VIEW’
SUNDAY, 6th DECEMBER
Join us at The View from 12h15 on Sunday, 6th December for a two-course meal at this gracious home.
Arrive and wander around the gardens and house, where some rooms will be open, and have a drink at the bar. Lunch will be served from 13h00. We will have a brief chat about the house and the Cullinans.
GUIDES : Den Adams
TIME : 12h15 pm
VENUE : The View, 2 Ridge Road, Parktown
PARK : In the grounds of the house
COST : R180.00 per person – drinks are for your own account
MAXIMUM No: 30
NB: BOOKINGS CAN BE MADE THROUGH THE OFFICE – 011 482-3349 /
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WALKING TOUR
‘FROM CONCESSION TO CO-OPERATION’
SATURDAY, 12th DECEMBER
Modderfontein’s history is intrinsically linked to that of Johannesburg, and owes its existence to the discovery of gold and the need for explosives manufacturing. But despite its origins in heavy industry, It has a distinctive "village atmosphere". Many of the century-old buildings are still in use today, including some with strong Anglo-Boer war connections. Add to this many interesting personalities and there is a recipe for a fascinating exploration of a Johannesburg suburb.
GUIDES : Keith Martin and Clare van Zwieten
TIME : 10h00
PARK : At Museum – directions below
COST : R100 for members, R150 for non-members – which includes a
donation to the Modderfontein Conservation Society
DURATION : Approximately 3 hours
MAXIMUM No: 50
DIRECTIONS:
GPS coordinates for the Museum where we will meet are:
S26degrees;05';45.8" E28degrees;09';7.01"
Physical address is 2 Main Street, Modderfontein
Travelling on N3 South, take London Road exit (next after Marlboro).
At intersection with Johannesburg Rd (2nd traffic light), turn left (down avenue of tall fir trees)
At traffic circle take second left (Valley Road) - at traffic circle (in the valley)cross over (Church on LHS) continue along Valley Road.
Continue up the hill after the road takes a left turn at "Willow Bridge". Pass under Gautrain bridge. Go through traffic circle. Next left at the "industrial fountain"
Turn left at T junction into Main Rd
Museum is first building on RHS.
If travelling on N3 North
Take Modderfontein exit (next after Linksfield)