Dating back to 1812 the historic Cape Vernacular Manor House is one of the only period re-stored residences offering a glimpse into the lives of the second Huguenot family that made Boschendal a dynasty and one of the most important farms of their time.
It is thought that the farm house was a humble dwelling until Jacque's son Jean initiated the Manor House. As the father to twenty two children it was probably a labour born of necessity began with the outhouses including the hen houses, the cellars and the wagon house and the slave quarters that accommodated his thirty one slaves.
It was his son, Paul who completed the Manor house and gable with its date in relief reading 1812. The front gable, with its wavy outline ending in urns reflects both the baroque and neo-classical tradition at the Cape.
Boschendal is one of only a few original Cape farmhouses that have been restored and furnished according to old inventories. It is a typical H-shaped house with yellowwood ceilings, floorboards and doors set in teak frames.
During its restoration in 1973 painted friezes were discovered on the walls and recent scrapings have exposed details of even more layers. These paintings might have been the work of itinerant artists or resident slaves two hundred years ago.
The Manor House was a declared a national monument and opened to the public in 1976. The presence of preceding generations is palpable in this fascinating home.