Description

"Double storey building with slate roof with central ventilation turret, and projecting wings with Dutch Renaissance gables at each end of facade. Walls are red-painted brickwork with profuse plaster decorations: quoins, rusticated window surrounds, pilaster gables, string courses and eaves decorations. Between the wings a single storey section forms a first floor balcony with precast balusters, and with arched windows opening onto it. The central entrance has a small gable and arched doorway with double doors flanked by double pilasters. Other windows are double timber casements with fanlights. The side has a turret and verandah with cast iron columns and brackets.Fine wrought iron fence with capped posts." 

History

"The Bloemhof Girls' Seminary was founded in 1875 by Rev Neethling, Prof Hofmeyr and other prominent citizens. It first occupied the Gymnasium with 46 pupils. Most of the teachers were from Mount Holyoke Seminary in the USA. The Seminary moved to Church Street in 1878, and to the present building in 1907. Although teaching was initially in English, Bloemhof High School is the oldest Afrikaans-medium girls' school in SA. The school has since moved to the southern side of the Eerste river." 

Alterations

Restored by Munnik Visser Black & Fish. 

Social History

Significance in terms of NHRA