Baynesfield Museum
Telephone: 033-
e-
www: byanesfieldmuseum.co.za
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 08h30 to 16h00
Entry to museums is by donation. Week-
The Baynesfield Museum is situated on the Baynesfield Estate midway between Pietermaritzburg
and Richmond in KwaZulu-
Baynes was a progressive
farmer and the museums celebrate his foresight and his achievements. The Museum is
comprised of a number of smaller museums which individually provide an insight into
the life and activities of the Baynesfield Estate through time. The dairy museum
is housed in the first butter factory in South Africa which he built in 1898. The
Kitchen Museum is in the same building and represents a period kitchen with laundry,
bathing and kitchen sections. Many old gardening artifacts and implements are housed
in the Potting Shed. The Natal Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club have set up their
museum of vintage tractors and stationery engines in a beautifully restored building
which was the first refrigeration room in South Africa. A milling shed, donated to
the Museum was dismantled, transported and reassembled on the Estate to house the
original milling equipment restored to working order.
Baynes House was built in 1882
by Joseph for his second wife Sarah. This imposing building, home to many pieces
of original Baynes furniture, is open to the public (by arrangement), and is situated
in a 3 hectare garden with magnificent trees, some of which were planted by Joseph
and his second wife, Sarah.
Joseph and his first wife Maria lived in a simple home
with interleading rooms with the stables at one end and a bullring at the other.
This building now houses a large collection of antique wood crafting tools collected
by an offshoot of the Vintage Tractor Club, known as the “Woodcrafters”. Amongst
this merry band is a blacksmith who plies his trade, using period equipment, in the
old stables.
There is a comprehensive collection of vintage sewing machines in a more
modern building which was the Cheese Factory in past years.
An architectural Trail
leads the visitor through the Museum Complex and farmyard to view the Administration
house, Coach House, Long Barn where staff took refuge during the 1906 uprising, and
three old silos.
A short distance from the Museums is the Mausoleum where Joseph and
Sarah are buried. The Mausoleum, Dairy and Baynes House have all been declared National
monuments.
A dip tank, some 7 km from the complex, was built by Joseph Baynes in his fight against
East Coast Fever, It is the first dip tank ever built in South Africa. This too has
been declared a national Monument in recognition of the valuable contribution made
to cattle farming in the infant colony.
The Baynesfield Museums Committee takes very
seriously their mandate to maintain these historic buildings and sites for the education
and enjoyment of future generations.
We offer the garden as a tranquil wedding venue
in the historic garden with beautiful photographic opportunities. An overnight cottage
is also available.
Annual Events.
13th March 2011 -
8th May 2011 Music In May -
17th July 2011 -
9th October 2011 -
11th December 2011 Christmas Market
