The old timber-floored rooms of the Richmond Horse Museum have displays of everything from saddlery and harness ware, to carriages and Cape carts. One piece which the curators are particularly proud of is a ‘nachtmaal wa’, a cart dating back to the mid 1800's which farmers took to town on the occasion of a quarterly communion service at the Kerk.
Horse enthusiasts can spend hours browsing here, as there are many riding and horse interest books and periodicals, plus stamps collected from around the world, all of which have been dedicated to the horse. This collection is thought to be unique to the museum.
Add-ons to the equine related artefacts include fashion items like a large display of ‘ladies’ gowns and dresses from the mid 1800's and early 1900's, and household utensils: all of which offer a glimpse into pioneer life in a long forgotten era.
There’s a collection of rare old guns and pistols, muzzle loaders, and hunting rifles, as well as one of the most cherished exhibits: a pump organ dating from 1745 which is still in perfect working order.
The building was purchased by horse judge Oom Charl van den Heever for R300 in 1955, and together with regional horse show organizer Bill Sieberhagen they have put together a one-of-a-kind collection.