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Standing on a sub-division of the original Uitvlucht farm, Joubert House was built in 1853 by Pieter Gideon Joubert for his father. It was here that three members of the Third Deputation who had visited England to plead, without avail, for the annulment of the annexation of the Transvaal, were hosted in 1880 on their way home. They were President Paul Kruger, the famous Boer General Piet Joubert and S.J. du Toit who was the Transvaal Superintendent of Education.
During the disastrous flood of 1981 the torrential rains caused such damage to the structure of the walls and roof of the house that it was to be demolished. The Board of Trustees bought the ruin which was all that remained of the oldest house in Montagu. Thanks to the efforts of the trustees and curator and the support of the community, Joubert House was restored to its former glory and saved for posterity.
It was declared a national monument in 1975 and was re-opened on 14 October 1983 by State President Marais Viljoen, two and a half years after the flood and 130 years after it had been built.
The house museum depicts the life style of the latter part of the nineteenth century. The wall paper in the Ken Birch room is unique in that it was specially printed from a sample of the original that was found in the room. The elberta peach pip floor in the kitchen and pantry is of special interest as it was laid according to a very old local method and recipe.
In the dining room pride of place goes to the dinner service in which luncheon was served to President Paul Kruger, General Piet Joubert and S.J. du Toit.
The pantry is used to exhibit the many dried and cut plants researched for the indigenous medicinal plant project as well as ointment, tinctures, infusions and so forth that were in daily use on farms in years gone by.
The museum is the proud owner of a unique collection of handmade dolls by Caroline and Jenny McSweeney of Montagu who are still represented in today's community.
There is an interesting medicinal herb garden behind the house where examples of many local herbs are grown and there is also a nursery where these plants are sold.
For lovers of bric á brac, the shop in the Joubert House has a small treasure trove of items.
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