Stellenbosch-Three Centuries

Stellenbosch celebrated its tercentenary in 1979.

Commemorating this historical occasion, Stellenbosch Three Centuries is a prestige volume, specially researched and compiled as a permanent tribute to our oldest village. It is certainly one of the major contributions to the tercentenary celebrations. Commissioned by the Town Council of Stellenbosch, a team of 35 experts have recorded the history of the town and district in all its facets. Richly illustrated, the book contains remarkable historical material, most of which has never been published before, such as Schumacher's aquarelles of 1776 in colour, old maps and the first Stellenbosch title deeds, dating back to 1686.

The book tells how this beautiful valley was shaped over hundreds of millions of years. It tells of its flora and fauna, its Stone Age inhabitants and its first European settlers. It gives an absorbing picture of how this peaceful farming community grew into a bustling university town; how the people of Stellenbosch learnt in the course of years to govern themselves and the far-flung hinterland from the seat of justice established on an island in the Eerste River; how the first permanent Christian church in South Africa was erected here; how, from the outset, the education of their children was a serious matter to the villagers and how they originated the commando system in order to defend themselves.

Farmers from Adam Tas to John X. Merriman, teachers from Sybrand Mancadan to Paul Roos, ministers from Pierre Simond to J.H. Neethling and numbers of other colourful personalities that helped to shape Stellenbosch, come to life in the pages of this book.

It also tells how, having had to relinquish the admininistrative lead after one and a half centuries, the citizens took the initiative and regained their leadership, this time in the field of education. Today, the " Town of Oaks " is also synonymous with preservation of our cultural heritage and with leadership in sport. Both these aspects are dealt with extensively in this new authoritative work on Stellenbosh.

Hardback with dustcover over brown boards with gilt blocking to front board. Illustrated endpapers.. Half-Title with inscription-March 1990, Frontispiece & Title, Contributors, Contents, Coloured Arms, Foreword. 464 pages text with supporting photographs, images, sketches, maps, data and information.