Drostdy Museum

The Drostdy is situated in the heart of town – Caledon Street. It was erected during General Jacob Glen Cuyler’s tenure of office as Landdrost of Uitenhage in 1809. The museum follows the historical development of Uitenhage and surrounding districts.

The Drostdy was believed to be designed by Thibault due to the U-shaped plan and the high ceilings that often occurred in his designs was built in the Cape Dutch style.

The building had many occupants after the retirement of General Cuyler. Captain and Mrs Andries Stockenstrom moved into the building in 1827. In 1832 it was bought by JW Van Der Riet, the Resident Magistrate. In 1893 it was run as a boarding house and became the family home of Mrs Brundson in 1904.

In 1923 it became the Uitenhage Railway Institute. The municipality bought the building from the Railway Administration in 1975. It was restored and finally opened as a museum in 1981.

The museum houses the history of the establishment of the town that was named after Uitehange de Mist in 1804 and contains the original coat of arms.