National Women's Memorial And War Museum

Description

The National Women's Memorial and War Museum commemorates some 27,000 Boer women (mothers, wives, and children) who died in British concentration camps during the Anglo Boer war. This is also the burial site of Emily Hobhouse, a British campaigner against the horrific conditions in which Afrikaans and Black women were held captive. The monument is a provincial heritage site in the Free State.

Monument

Designed by a Pretoria architect, Frans Soff, and the sculpting done by Anton van Wouw, the monument consists of an obelisk about 35m in height and low semi-circular walls on two sides. The graves of Christiaan de Wet, Rev. J.D Kestell, as well as the president of the Orange Free State, Martinus Steyn and his wife are buried beside the monument.

War Museum

The War Museum gives visitors insight into the Boer War through its unique art collection, dioramas, and exhibits. It brings the visitor closer to understanding the background and reasons for why the war took place. They are also given a glimpse into concentration. There are hundreds of antiques and artefacts from the war on display, as well as paintings depicting the war, and bronze sculptures from some of the most significant figures in the war.