De Poort Heritage Village

DE POORT HERITAGE VILLAGE

Phase 1 of De Poort Heritage Village in Turk Street, Suider-Paarl

Our Heritage Centre is nearing completion

"Starting with a multi-purpose craft workshop and visitor centre, we're on course to open our doors to the public in 2008." Frances Graves, Chair of De Poort Heritage Village, October '07

Finally after seven years of hard work this unique community project will come to life - a fun place for the whole family with activities and events throughout the year.

De Poort will be the first Heritage Village in South Africa - bringing a divided community together through a shared heritage. The focus will be on the boom period of the late 19th century when the Drakenstein valley was the centre of the animal-drawn transport industry.

De Poort will be a living History experience with interactive activities, artisans at work and opportunities for the visitor to sample life during the boom period.

Phase 1 of De Poort Village

Phase 1 of De Poort Heritage Village

Right from the start - there will be something for everyone:

• For the Visitor -a place of fun and entertainment for the whole family.

• For the Community, an opportunity to come together and celebrate the talents and skills of our forefathers and mothers.

• For the Craftsperson - a place to open a shop or store and sell authentic handmade crafts appropriate to period ( from leather to embroidery; from jewelery to hinges; from wooden toys to baked goods).

• Interactive workshops and displays - will celebrate the skills and craftmanship of our valley.

• As we enter the Heritage Centre we will be greeted by Friends of De Poort wearing traditional costumes from the late 19th century.

• Phase 1 encompasses the factory “workshop”, craft bays, the arena, the outdoor barrow market and heritage games areas. The mezzanine level of the “workshop” will have the seminar room and space for more cubicles and display.

• Outside, visitors will enjoy cart rides, a craft and organic produce market, picnics, heritage music and games.

• The vision for De Poort has evolved from close consultation with local people and from observing the success of heritage centres like Sovereign Hill at Ballarat in Australia. Our aim is to grow over time and to sow the seeds for a sustainable community enterprise.

• The Project has enjoyed support from many sources. First was Paarl Tourism which saw the need to attract more people to visiting the town.

• The Provincial department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism then granted funds for the feasibility study, marketing plan and business plan.

• Drakenstein Municipality agreed to lease the land for 25 years (renewable for 25 years) at nominal rental. It also cancelled plans for the boulevard extension. It agreed that its collection of heritage vehicles and artefacts should be transferred to De Poort for curator ship once suitable quarters had been built on site.

• Cape Winelands District Municipality granted R1million over 4 years to kick start the project; for concept and SMME development; for architectural master Plan and Engineering drawings.(2003-7).

• The National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund granted R2,320,000 in 2004 for construction of the “wagon factory”.

• The Paarl Heemkring made its archive of photos available to help promote the project.

• Paarl Museum agreed to its wagons being part of the display at De Poort.

• Along the way many well-wishers made donations in kind or of time.

Now we invite you to get aboard - there are many ways in which you can support us and participate in the project.