Owletts is Sir Herbert Baker’s estate in England, where he was born and died, and it still remains in the Baker family. Now, the Sir Herbert Baker Society has opened Owletts to the public on the first Sunday of every month. So, if you are visiting the UK, why not try to check it out […]
Sir Herbert Baker Society Opens Owletts to the public Read More »
The team at the JHF Research Centre was very excited to receive a reconditioned Kyocera Photocopier from Smart Idea. Our trusty old machine had been working continuously for many, many years without serious incident. Until until last week, that is, when Mahmoud the technician broke the sad news that it was irreparable because it was
JHF Research Centre Gets an Upgrade Read More »
Thanks to the Melville and Westcliff Times for their full page feature on the excellent work done by the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries team. Check it out below:
Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries featured in Northcliff and Melville Times Read More »
The Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) has been in a sorry state for a long time, and the situation is only getting worse. Carte Blanche investigates the ‘art of neglect’ featuring interviews with JHF Chairperson, Flo Bird, and heritage architect and JHF member, Brian McKechnie. Originally broadcast on 15 January 2023.
Carte Blanche Investigates the Joburg Art Gallery (JAG) Read More »
More bad news for Joburg’s vulnerable heritage! In addition to the appalling state of the Johannesburg Art Gallery (as reported on Carte Blanche) and the illegal demolition of the Crown Mines headquarters by a developer, we have now learned that the iconic Rotunda building next to Park Station has been completely stripped. As noted by
Joburg’s Decay Continues as Rotunda is stripped Read More »
We have just learned that the old Crown Mines Head Office, with its landmark assay chimney, has been illegally demolished. A declared National Monument (now a Provincial Heritage site) this was one of the most significant mining elements in the City of Johannesburg. Standing just west of the M1 and the M2 intersection, bounded by
Outrage at illegal demolition of Crown Mines Offices Read More »
The Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries group, which was started in 2018 under the umbrella of Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, has done some solid work in the Braamfontein and Brixton cemeteries over the past 4 years. We have a great following on our WhatsApp group, which is for people who want to join our work parties in
Forgotten Headstones – Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries Read More »
A few years ago Fourthwall Books published a series of fascinating small books on Johannesburg. Beautifully designed and printed on high quality paper with colour photographs, it shone as a high quality ‘must have’ Johannesburg item. The stories pulsed with quirkiness and throb with the adrenalin of a new Joburg. There were ten books in
New Book – Wake Up, This is Joburg Read More »
A while ago, we received an enquiry from William Martinson on behalf of the Beit Trustees. He was seeking info about the house where Sir Otto Beit lived while in Johannesburg, circa the 1890s. Thanks to our expert team of ‘detectives’ at the Research Centre, we were able to track down quite a lot of
JHF Research Centre ‘Detectives’ do it again Read More »
As part of the JHF’s on-going Restoration Programme, we are proud to announce that the stonework along beautiful Stewart Drive has been stabilised and repaired. Funded by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, this was a collaborative effort with Mayat Hart Architects, local activist Richard Holden, City Parks (who developed Stewart Drive Park and installed playground equipment)
Restoration of Stewart Drive’s Stonework Read More »