The Drostdy Museum, Swellendam

31/08/2026

SWELLENDAM, GET READY TO CELEBRATE!
A much-loved annual celebration of Swellendam’s creativity, talent and community spirit returns on 3 October 2026.
This year Swellendam Alive Festival 2026 once again brings together an inspiring collection of local performers, schools, artists, musicians and community organizations for a day celebrating the remarkable cultural and creative energy of our town.
Proudly presented in association with Twilight Dance Academy and the Drostdy Museum, this year’s programme features:
ATKV Carnival
Progress Swellendam Band
Swellendam Music Society
Bradwell Dance Collective
Yolande Erasmus Acrobatics
Laerskool Swellendam
Swellendam Senior Secondary
Twilight Dance Academy
Overberg Youth Choir
Swellendam Amateur Theatre
With familiar favorites and exciting new additions, the festival provides a wonderful platform for our community’s young and established talent to share gifts and for residents to come together in celebration.
3 October 2026
Come and celebrate the people, talent and creative spirit that make Swellendam Alive.
Swellendam has talent. Swellendam has the spirit. Swellendam is Alive

20/08/2026

NOTICE OF EARLY CLOSURE
Please note that the Drostdy Museum will close early at 15:30 PM on Friday, 21 August 2026.
Normal operating hours will resume on Saturday, 22 August 2026.
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank our visitors for their understanding.
We look forward to welcoming you back on Saturday.

05/08/2026

Honouring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Gwen Fagan
Some individuals leave behind more than memories-they leave a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
The Drostdy Museum warmly invites our community to join us for "A Life of Heritage. A Legacy of Beauty." a special tribute celebrating the extraordinary life and work of Dr. Gwen Fagan, whose dedication to heritage conservation, architecture, and historic gardens has enriched South Africa beyond measures.
Dr. Fagan's legacy lives on within our own Mayville Rose Garden, a place of peace, reflection, and therefore fitting that we gather in this very garden to honour a woman whose life's work was devoted to preserving the stories and places that define who we are.
Date: 7 August 2026
Venue: Mayville Rose Garden, Drostdy Museum, 18 Swellengrebel Street, Swellendam
FREE ENTRY
Whether you knew Dr. Fagan personally, admired her work, or simply appreciate the importance of preserving our shared heritage, we invite you to join us for an evening of remembrance, gratitude, and celebration.
Together, let us honour a remarkable life and ensure that her legacy continues to bloom for generations to come.

29/07/2026

17/07/2026

In Loving Memory of Dr. Gwen Fagan
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Gwen Fagan - a remarkable women whose passion for South Africa's architectural, horticultural and cultural heritage has left an enduring legacy.
At the Drostdy Museum, we are especially grateful for her contribution to the Mayville Rose Garden, a memorial garden she designed. This tranquil space continues to offer beauty, reflection and enjoyment to all who visit our museum.
Dr. Fagan dedicated her life to preserving South Africa's historic landscapes and gardens, inspiring generations through her knowledge, creativity and unwavering commitment to heritage conservation. Her work will continue to bloom in the gardens she lovingly designed and in the many lives she touched.
Our heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.
May her legacy continue to flourish in every rose that blossoms within the Mayville Rose Garden.
"What we preserve today becomes the heritage of tomorrow."
Rest in peace, Dr. Gwen Fagan.

08/07/2026

02/07/2026

02/07/2026

Die opening van die Uys Krige-uitstalling
Op 26 Junie 2026 het die Drostdy Museum die voorreg gehad om die amptelike opening van die Uys Krige-uitstalling in die Desmond Tutu-saal aan te bied. Dit was ñ besondere aand waartydens die lewe, werk en blywende nalatenskap van een van Suid-Afrika se mees gevierde skrywers en Hertzogpryswenners gevier is.
Ons wil ons opregte dank uitspreek aan almal wat die geleentheid bygewoon het. U teenwoordigheid, belanstelling en waardering vir ons literêre en kulturele erfenis het die aand besonders gemaak.
ñ hartlike woord van dank gaan ook aan ons gewaardeerde borge en vennote vir hul ondersteuning: Olyfkraans, ATKV, Bokmakiri Boekwinkel, Suidernuus, UNISA, en die Universiteit van Johannesburg. Julle bydraes het ñ betekenisvolle rol gespeel in die sukses van hierdie uitstalling.
ñ besonderse hoogtepunt van die uitstalling is die indrukwekkende portret van Uys Krige, spesiaal vir hierdie geleentheid geskilder deur Estelle Marais. Die oorspronklike skildery is te koop by Bokmakiri Boekwinkel - Swellendam. Belangstellendes is welkom om Bokmakiri direk te kontak vir meer inligting.
Tel: 083 651 5830
Die uitstalling bly oop vir die publiek tot 6 July 2026, en ons nooi almal hartlik uit om dit te kom beleef en meer te ontdek oor Uys Krige se merkwaardige bydrae tot die Afrikaanse letterkunde en Suid-Afrika se kulturele erfenis.
Ons sien daarna uit om u by die Drostdy Museum te verwelkom.