A common heritage / an appropriated history: the Cape Dutch preservation and revival movement as nation and empire builder

Abstract

The Cape Dutch architectural revival at the time of the Union of South Africa in 1910 points to more than just an emerging interest in building preservation and the Arts and Crafts rural ideal germane to English architectural circles of the time. Cape Dutch architecture, and the gable of Groot Constantia in particular, was used as a symbol to establish a common European heritage that could transcend the animosities of English and Afrikaans South Africans and help forge a new white 'nation'. A closer reading reveals that Cape Dutch architecture, as history and as style, was appropriated by English architects at the Cape as the contribution South African architecture could make to the British Empire.

'n GEMEENSKAPLIE ERFENIS/'n TOEGEEINDE ERFENIS: DIE KAAPSE HOLLANDSE BEWARINGS- EN HERLEWINGSBEWEGING AS NASIE-EN RYKSBOUER Die Kaaps-Hollandse argitektoniese herlewing met Uniewording in 1910 dui op meer as net die ontwikkeling van 'n belangstelling in bewaring en die landelike ideaal van die 'Arts and Craft' beweging in Engelse argitektuur sirkels. Kaaps-Hollandse argitektuur, en spesifiek die gewel van Groot Constantia, was gebruik as simbool van 'n gemeenskaplike Europeuse erfenis wat die tweestryd tussen Engelse en Afrikaanse Suid-Afrikaners moes oorbrug en die groepe saambring as 'n nuwe wit 'nasie'. Kaaps-Hollandse argitektuur, as geskiedenis en styl, is deur Engelse argitekte in die Kaap aangeneem as 'n bydrae wat Suid-Afrikaanse argitektuur kon maak tot die Britse Ryk.