Kensington Sea Scouts visit Modderfontein

Scouts from the Third Kensington Sea Scouts enjoyed an interesting morning at the Modderfontein Dynamite Factory Museum and Franz Hoenig Haus on September 25.

An open day at the museum had been organised by the Modderfontein Conservation Society which also hosted some walks around the Historic Village.

The Scouts made use of the opportunity that this open day provided to visit these excellent, yet little-known facilities. These showcase a key element of the history of Johannesburg, namely the contribution that explosives made to the development of the gold-mining industry.

Of particular interest to the Scouts was the Baden-Powell Room in Franz Hoenig Haus. Robert Baden-Powell, the hero of the siege of Mafeking and famously known as the founder of the scouting movement, had an office at Hoenig Haus in 1900, which was only months after the siege had lifted.

Karl Kohler gave the Scouts some interesting insight into the history of what was on display.

The Scouts also had an opportunity to have a look at the exhibits in the museum grounds, where machinery used in the production of explosives and detonator cartridges are displayed along with an example of a large rock skillfully blasted into a rectangular slab.

Robbie Vermont, from the Modderfontein Conservation Society, who was also a Third Kensington Scout many years ago, gave the Scouts a talk on the history of the factory and Baden-Powell’s involvement in Modderfontein.

The Scouts visited the house and were excited to see the room which had been the office of the founder of the scouting movement.

The Scouts also took a walk to the site where Baden-Powell had a fort built on the koppie behind Hoenig Haus.

Although there is nothing left of the fort the significance of its position is clear to see.

The only remaining relic from the fort is a metal rifle port lining which is on display in the museum.

The morning was a good learning experience for the Scouts, many of whom never knew about the link between Baden-Powell and Modderfontein.

It gave them an appreciation for the relevant history that we have preserved right here in the community.