PLEDGE FUND | Building the Future: Welgemeend Restoration Fund
Timed Online Auction, 25 July - 25 August 2025
Welgemeend is one of a few remaining original homesteads in Cape Town’s city bowl district, built in circa 1693. The Friends of Welgemeend in collaboration with the Kilbourn Family and Strauss & Co have been raising funds for the ongoing preservation and restoration of the heritage building, the Boerneef Art Collection and the surrounding gardens. The main fundraising event takes place during the Welgemeend August Art Month. This year the Art Month committee has identified a wishlist of projects necessary for the continued maintenance in the seven auction sessions detailed below. The fundraiser takes the form of a pledge. Donors will be invited to attend a contributor’s event at the end of August Art Month, hosted by the Friends of Welgemeend.
The prioritisation of all funds received, will be at the discretion of the Friends of Welgemeend.
Buyers premium will not be charged on pledges received.
Grounded in History
The terracotta tiles on the floor in the Voorkamer have travelled far and wide. They were used on trade ships as ballast if a ship sailed with little or no cargo. With Cape Town having been a prominent trading post, the tiles would be offloaded and replaced with fresh rations. In the 1700s floors of some of the houses in Cape Town were clad with these handmade clay terracotta tiles, including Welgemeend. Unfortunately, some of these tiles have reached the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced.
Welgemeend welcomes a large number of guests throughout the year and as such the varnish on the wooden floors has to be re-applied on a regular basis. The floors in the Media 24 and Investec rooms have been expertly re-done throughout the past 10 years. However, the office floor will have to be sanded and sealed in the near future to preserve its integrity.
Other Sessions
Please note that these sessions run concurrently.
