Mupumalanga historical group is set for a busy year
Very few know that the recently restored Torbanlea Manor of the Halls family at Mataffin was actually named after...
NELSPRUIT – Those interested in local history are soon to set out on another excursions of discovery, one of many planned for this year by the Mpumalanga Historical Interest Group (MHIG).
On Saturday February 8 the road will head on a conducted tour of a selection of historically significant buildings along the Elands River Valley past Waterval Boven and then follow the top of the ridge of the escarpment back to Ngodwana.
Leaving the Kruger Lowveld Tourism office at Crossing at 07:00 the first stop will be at Waterval Onder to visit the Kruger House Museum. The group will be allowed to enter one of the original restored NZASM railway houses still occupied here.
At Boven the tour will do a drive past the old corrugated station building restored some years ago and visit one or two of the original railway structures dating from the early 1890s. With the completion of the Eastern Line, Boven was an important halfway station between Lourenço Marques and Pretoria.
Very few know that the recently restored Torbanlea Manor of the Halls family at Mataffin was actually named after their old summer farm on the back road between Boven and Machadodorp. The house on Torbanlea was burnt down by the Boers in the Anglo-Boer War due to Hugh Halls’ support of the British occupational forces while being a burgher of the Transvaal Republic.
A highlight will be a visit to the exquisite country manor of George Heys, on the highlands farm Weltevrede overlooking the Elands River Valley. Hays was also the owner of Melrose House in Pretoria. The house at Weltevrede was designed by British architect John Ellis in 1904. This is a unique example of a farmyard in the style of the arts and crafts movement of the time.
The next stop is the last remains of the gold-mining village of Mamre, before going back down into the valley to view the three old lime kilns. For many years these were a prominent roadside landmark until dwarfed by the towering Ngodwana paper and pulp factory of later years.
Vehicles with a higher ground clearance are required for this excursion. Contact Jan Minnaar on 013-741-2519 or Robin Bell on 082-603-0114 to offer room in your car or if you require a seat. Bring along a picnic lunch, a hat and some sensible shoes. Contact the MHIG at history@routesmp.co.za
