It is worth recalling that 10 years ago – on the 31 st of December 2003 – the Heidelberg Motor Museum closed its doors for good. So why is that event important to us Franschhoek residents? Allow me to take you back and take a brief look at just how FMM came about…
Dr Anton Rupert and the Simon van der Stel Institute felt it was important to restore the Heidelberg (NZASM) station as a national monument for the people of Heidelberg and South Africa. This red sandstone building was built in 1896 and was officially opened by Paul Kruger. It survived the Anglo-Boer war and later was visited by Mahatma Gandhi while he had set about his Satyagraha (passive resistance) against the Transvaal and, later, the British Union.
It was officially opened as the Heidelberg Motor Museum on the 22 November 1974 by Dr Anton Rupert. In 1996 it was visited by the then state president Nelson Mandela. Control of the museum was passed on to the British American Tobacco Company in November 1999 but by 2003 it had been decided to close the museum.
This led to the Dr Anton’s vehicles being sold to his son Johann, owner of L’Ormarins, and the collection relocated to the estate situated in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley.
Although it was sad to see the Heidelberg museum close, it is heart-warming to see that the motoring heritage assembled by Dr Anton has not only been preserved but enhanced in bright, modern and majestic surroundings. The exhibits are continually rotated so regular visitors always have something different to view. From Heidelberg to Franschhoek, this world class collection of automobiles remains a star attraction. WH |
