MACRORIE HOUSE MUSEUM PIETERMARITZBURG

 

Tel & Fax: 033 3942161
E-mail: mhm@sai.co.za
Hours: Mon 10.00 – 14.00, Tues-Fri: 09.00 – 13.00. Other hours by prior arrangement

 

The house was built about 1860 and in 1867 was described as "the finest and best built family house in the city".
In 1870 it was rented by the new "Bishop of Maritzburg", William Kenneth Macrorie. They soon bought it and named it "South Hill" and enlarged and improved it in the 25 years they owned it.
Bishop Macrorie came to Natal following the controversial excommunication of Bishop Colenso. Colenso's approach to missionary practice, and his biblical scholarship, had brought him into conflict with the Anglican Church authorities. In the schism that resulted some Anglicans remained loyal to Bishop Colenso and others went over to Bishop Macrorie.

Interesting features

It is the only early to mid-Victorian double-storey house open to the public in Pietermaritzburg.
The house is furnished in Victorian style and contains Bishop Macrorie's lovely Private Chapel housing an altarpiece painted on metal brought with him from England in 1869.
There is a doll's house and a collection of old dolls in historical costume as well as a Touch Room for children.
It is rumoured that the house also has a friendly ghost.