No. 71 Wale street is today known as the Bokaap Museum. The land on which the house stands was granted in 1763 and constructed and owned by Jan De Waal who also built a number of small houses for hire/letting (huurhuisies). The “huurhuisies” were the first constructed houses in Bokaap. The house was restored to represent a “Malay dwelling” of the 19th Century.
The additions that were made to the structure were removed and the dwelling was returned to it’s original state. Yellowwood flooring and ceiling boards were used. Restoration was done on the original teak-windows, teak-shutters, fanlight and doors. Even the roof has been covered in yellowwood to give the feeling of the old Cape Dutch beams. Restoration was done to the wavy/curvilinear parapet to give it back it’s original state.
A visit to this Museum is a must as it feel as though you stepping back in time.
It is one of the oldest buildings in Wale Street 71 houses the “Bo-Kaap Museum”. It is furnished as a house of the 19th century period and hopes to document the history of the “Cape Malays.” The museum is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9:30 to 4:30. Tel 021-4243846.