Auckland Park, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, offers a compelling mix of historical charm and contemporary vibrancy. Situated on a gentle slope, Auckland Park is conveniently located near the suburbs of Melville, Brixton, Westdene, and Richmond.
Historical Roots and Development
Auckland Park was established in 1888 and developed by John Landau, a New Zealander. Reminded of his native Auckland, he named the area Auckland Park. In its early days, Auckland Park was considered a rural area relative to the Johannesburg city center.
Anna Smith in 'Johannesburg Street Names' informs us that the suburb was always known for its bluegums, planted by JH hardy in 1888, when he built the first house here. Some of the offspring of those bluegums can still be seen today, alongside London plane trees.
Notably, the street names in Auckland Park pay homage to places along the River Thames, including Richmond, Twickenham, Ditton, Molesey, and Kingston.
Early Residents and Victorian Influence
Some of Johannesburg's first residents settled in Auckland Park, as the area was considered "in the country" compared to the city center. Victorian gentry who had made South Africa their home often had weekend homes in this area.
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At the turn of the 20th century, Auckland Park was literally ‘in the country’ relative to the Johannesburg city centre. Victorian gentry who had made South Africa their home would have had weekend get-aways in the area.
Lindfield Victorian House Museum
The stories that lived (and still live) within the walls of Lindfield Victorian House Museum tell a tale of Johannesburg during an era that, more than any other, shaped urban Johannesburg today: the day-to-day family life and fashion trends, masters and servants, high culture and intellectual achievements. Lindfield is a Provincial Heritage Site.
The Lindfield Victorian House Museum in Johannesburg is a captivating time capsule that offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Victorian era. The museum is the lifelong project of its curator and owner, Katherine Love, who has dedicated her life to maintaining and showcasing the historical significance of this unique property.
Originally called Grey Roofs, the original small cottage was designed by Herbert Baker. The house was originally built (circa 1910) for Dr. St John Stanwell and his wife Alice. In 1924, A.J. Katharine's grandmother originally bought the house and Katharine and her mother, Katharine McGill Love (nee Viljoen), moved in during 1967. Katharine's maternal grandmother, a retired school teacher, originally bought the present house. Katharine and her mother, Katharine McGill Love moved into the 22-room house in 1967. Interestingly, Katharine was born only a block away.
As visitors step into Lindfield House, they are transported back in time by the authentic furnishings, decor, and artifacts that fill each room. The museum's collection includes an extensive array of period furniture, clothing, toys, and household items, all carefully arranged to recreate the ambiance of a typical Victorian home. Each room in the house tells a different story, from the grandeur of the drawing room, where guests would have been entertained, to the more utilitarian spaces like the kitchen and scullery, where the daily work of the household was carried out.
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One of the most remarkable aspects of the Lindfield Victorian House Museum is the personal touch provided by Katherine Love. As the curator and guide, Love offers visitors an engaging and informative tour, sharing her in-depth knowledge of Victorian customs, etiquette, and daily life. Her passion for the era and her dedication to preserving its history are evident in every detail of the museum. This personalized approach not only enhances the educational value of the visit but also creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets Lindfield House apart from more conventional museums.
The Lindfield Victorian House Museum serves as a valuable educational resource, offering a tangible connection to the past for both locals and tourists. It provides a unique opportunity to explore the social and cultural history of Johannesburg through the lens of a bygone era. The museum frequently hosts school groups, history enthusiasts, and those interested in heritage preservation, making it an integral part of the community's cultural landscape. By preserving and sharing the history of the Victorian era, the Lindfield Victorian House Museum ensures that future generations can appreciate and learn from this significant period in history.
5 Interesting facts about the Lindfield Victorian House Museum in Johannesburg:
- Authentic Victorian Experience: Lindfield Victorian House Museum offers visitors an authentic glimpse into Victorian-era life in Johannesburg. The museum is meticulously preserved and furnished with original Victorian antiques, artifacts, and décor, providing a comprehensive representation of a typical Victorian household from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Living Museum: The museum is unique in that it is a "living museum" maintained by Katherine Love, who has lived in the house since 1967. She offers guided tours dressed in period costume, enhancing the historical experience by sharing personal anecdotes and detailed knowledge about Victorian customs, daily life, and the history of the house.
- Architectural Heritage: The house itself is a significant piece of Johannesburg's architectural heritage. Built in 1910, it showcases the distinctive features of Victorian architecture, including ornate woodwork, stained glass windows, and intricate ironwork. The structure has been carefully preserved to maintain its historical integrity.
- Extensive Collection: Lindfield House boasts an extensive collection of Victorian-era artifacts, including clothing, toys, kitchenware, and furniture. Each room in the house is themed and arranged to reflect different aspects of Victorian life, such as the drawing room, dining room, bedrooms, and servants' quarters, providing a holistic view of the era.
- Educational Resource: The museum serves as an important educational resource for schools, historians, and the general public. It offers educational programs and tours that delve into the social history of the Victorian period, the development of Johannesburg, and the impact of British colonialism on South African society.
Modern Auckland Park
Today Auckland Park has a cosmopolitan population with an interesting mix of nationalities and cultures and residents of the suburb enjoy a vibrant lifestyle in a convenient location close to all amenities. The centre of the suburb has many attractive sidewalks with a wide selection of cafes, restaurants and interesting shops. Just north-west of Johannesburg's CBD, Auckland Park lies on a gentle slope, the homes here gentrified and the neighbourhood a vibrant hum.
The suburb known as Auckland Park is one of few this close to the centre of Johannesburg to survive the exodus of Jo'burgers to the northern suburbs and it's no surprise given the wealth of beautiful architecture here.
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Close enough to the city centre to gain some of its energy but far enough away to be truly suburban, this area is one of the oldest in Joburg. This suburb is a particularly interesting mix of education, history, design and entertainment, for a number of reasons. The University of Johannesburg is situated here, as well as Milpark Business School, which means the student life adds a lot of colour and energy to everyday life.
For property hunters looking for something with character, Auckland Park is one of those rare gems of a neighbourhood that is teeming with Victorian houses. Think double-volume rooms and pressed ceilings, original fi replaces and parquet floors - with all the charm of a bygone era.
Given the tertiary institutes in such close proximity, families with older children and students looking for accommodation are in luck in this suburb. When it comes to high school, girls can consider McAuley House School (Catholic) while the primary school of the same name will take both girls and boys.
Numerous highlights within the suburb of Auckland Park include several well-known art galleries and the magnificent theatre at the University of Johannesburg, which holds various exciting events from classical music concerts to musical theatre.
Auckland Park property is an excellent investment especially for those people who work or study in or near the suburb. Everything that a resident could possibly require is within easy reach of Auckland Park.
Auckland Park is home to a number of academic institutions including the University of Johannesburg and private schools such as the Auckland Park Academy of Excellence, The Johannesburg Bible College (Auckland Park Campus), Auckland Park Nursery School and Auckland Park Preparatory School.
Johannesburg Country Club
The heart of Auckland Park is undoubtedly the Johannesburg Country Club. Founded in 1906 it has always been a noble landmark on the social landscape of Johannesburg and it continues to offer a range of social and recreational activities.
The Country Club Johannesburg, was built by the Auckland Park Real Estate Company on the grounds of the old hotel, opening on 22 December 1906 by Mayor W.
One of the biggest attractions in the area has to be the Johannesburg Country Club. Established in 1906 when Auckland Park was first founded, it offers unrivalled facilities on spectacular grounds including a gym, cycling, running, squash, tennis, golf, swimming, bowls, cricket and croquet to name a few.
Nearby Attractions and Amenities
Just next to Auckland Park is uber-cool Melville - a real hot spot for entertainment, dinner, drinks and long lunches. Bohemian and terribly trendy Melville is just around the corner from Auckland Park and a superb way to spend your evenings, if not your lunch time activities.
Observatory Golf Course is one of the less well known Johannesburg courses, but just as good as many of its more famous neighbors. The World Atlas of Golf, which lists the great courses and how they are played, features just two South African clubs on its hallowed pages.
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Auckland Park lies north of Johannesburg's CBD and west of Braamfontein on either side of Empire Road, where it becomes Kingsway.
Here are some accommodations in Auckland Park:
- Melvilla Guesthouse offers accommodation in Auckland Park.
- Sunbury Bed & Breakfast is located in the friendly, beautiful neighbourhood of Melville, Auckland Park.
Driving at Johannesburg Auckland Park, South Africa
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