Date: | 1884-1886 | Type: | Government Buildings | |
Status: | Extant |
Click to view mapCoordinates: 29°07'10.74" S 26°12'56.06" E | | Also referred to as the Residency.
A remarkably handsome massively built structure, erected, at a cost of no less than £8,000, as the official residence of the President of the Orange Free State. The President is elected by the votes of the whole of the burghers in the State; his term of office being for five years, with the right of presenting himself for re-election. In his administration he is assisted by the Executive Council, consisting of three, besides the Landdrost of Bloemfontein, and the Government Secretary.
Ref: Photographs of South Africa Comprising Representative Views etc, The South African Photo-Publishing Company, Cape Town, 1894: Pg 97.
[Submitted by William MARTINSON, January 2011]
In 1933 the building was transferred to the OFS Provincial Administration and used as a girls' school.
(RIBA Jnl Feb 1887:1831)
Transcript of National Monuments Plaque:
HISTORIESE MONUMENTE-KOMMISSIE
DIE PRESIDENTSHUIS
AMPTELIKE WONING VAN DIE PRESIDENTE VAN DIE
REPUBLIEK ORANJE VRYSTAAT: HOEKSTEEN GELÊ MEI
1885. GEBOU VOLTOOI 1886: BEWOON DEUR PRESIDENT
J.H. BRAND 1886-1888, PRESIDENT F.W. REITZ 1888-1895,
PRESIDENT M.T.STEYN 1896-1900: VELDMARSKALK [sic]
LORD ROBERTS, K.C. 1900-1901 EN VAN 1901 TOT
1910 DEUR SIR H.J. GOOLD-ADAMS, K.C.M.C.,
GOEWERNEUR VAN DIE ORANJE RIVIER KOLONIE.
HISTORICAL MONUMENTS COMMISSION
THE PRESIDENCY
OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE
ORANGE FREE STATE REPUBLIC: FOUNDATION STONE
LAID MAY 1885, BUILDING COMPLETED 1886: OCCUPIED
BY PRESIDENT J.H. BRAND 1886-1888, PRESIDENT
F.W. REITZ 1888-1895, PRESIDENT M.T.STEYN 1896-1900:
FIELD MARSHAL LORD ROBERTS, K.C. 1900-1901 AND
FROM 1901 TO 1910 BY SIR H.J. GOOLD-ADAMS,
K.C.M.C., GOVERNOR OF THE ORANGE RIVER COLONY.
Transcript of Centenary stone:
13 MARCH 1900 - 13 MAART 2000
MET DIE BESETTING VAN DIE VRYSTAATSE HOOFSTAD
TYDENS DIE ANGLO-BOEREOORLOG (1899-1902) IS DIE
SLEUTELS VAN HIERDIE EN ANDER REGERINGSGEBOUE
AAN DIE BRITSE BEVELVOERDER, LORD ROBERTS
OORHANDIG.
AT THE TIME OF THE OCCUPATION OF THE FREE STATE
CAPITAL DURING THE SOUTH AFRICAN (WAR 1889-1902) [sic]
THE KEYS OF THIS GOVERNMENT BUILDING AMONGST
OTHERS, WERE PRESENTED TO THE BRITISH COMMANDER
LORD ROBERTS
HOBA HO HAPJWE MOTSEMOHOLO WA PREISTATA KA
NTWA AFRICA-BORWA (1899-1902) DINOTLOLO LE MEAHO
YA MMUSO TSA NEELWA MOLAODI WA
BORITANE LORD ROBERTS
DONATED BY/GESKENK DEUR PROTEA GRAFSTENE BLOEMFONTEIN
Books that reference Presidency Gaylard, Shaun & McDougall, Brett . 2022. RSA 365 : 365 Drawings of South African Architecture. Johannesburg: Blank Ink Design. pg 58 ill | Greig, Doreen. 1971. A Guide to Architecture in South Africa. Cape Town: Howard Timmins. pg 81 | Hartdegen, Paddy. 1988. Our building heritage : an illustrated history. South Africa: Ryll's Pub. Co. on behalf of the National Development Fund for the Building Industry. pg 67 | Schoeman, Karel. 1980. Bloemfontein: die ontstaan van 'n stad. Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau. pg 1, 3, 13, 17, 19, 24, 37, 100-101, 107, 111, 123, 126, 134, 140, 159, 160-161, 174, 196, 198, 228, 231, 293, 307 ills 8, 40, 41, 79, 94, 128 | Schoeman, Karel. 1982. Vrystaatse erfenis : Bouwerk en geboue in die 19de eeu. Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau. pg 99 | Schoeman, Karel. 1985. Boukunsskatte van die Vrystaat / Free State Heritage. Roodepoort: CUM Boeke vir Stigting NALM. pg 58-59 | Van Schoor, MCE . 1988. President Brand Street. Bloemfontein: Die Stad Bloemfontein. pg 12-13, 22 ill |
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