LOCATION; 36 Main Street, Hahndorf
SHR 10506 – confirmed as a State Heritage Place 24 July 1980
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This stone cottage was for many years the mortuary of Hahndorf’s undertaker, Carl Rodert, and was one of the first stone buildings in Hahndorf. It was reputedly built in 1847, the date is carved on the lintel over the front door. It is one of only two remaining commercial premises built in stone, with a typical German half-hipped roof. Its original shingles are retained under the iron roof, and the original loft and cellar also remain.
A century later from 1949 to 1953, Stefan Heysen, son of artist Sir Hans Heysen, turned it into a public gallery, which was carried on from 1955 by Walter Wotzke. When he moved to the old Lutheran School, it became a delicatessan for a period. It has since been restored as a shop and gallery.
Early Ownership
Information from The Hahndorf Allotments Database compiled by Reg Butler.
| Old Lot No. | New Lot No. | Street No. | Street Name |
| House 38 | N.H. 98 | 36 | Main Street |
| Year Sold | New Owner | Occupation | Owner's Home | Personal |
| 1839 | Christian Bartel # | thresher-gardener | Hahndorf | From Möstchen, Brandenburg. |
| 1853 | Christian Bartel | farmer | Hahndorf | GRO title |
| 1855 | Carl Herberger | farmer | Hahndorf | |
| 1855 | Valentin Hellwig | miner & farmer | Hahndorf | |
| 1861 | Wilhelm Paech | farmer | Hahndorf | |
| 1861 | Johann Willemer % | farmer | Hahndorf | LTO title 1861. |
| 1892 | Ida Rodert | wife of Julius Rodert labourer | Hahndorf | Nee Willemer. |
| 1921 | Wilhelm Minkwitz | agent | Hahndorf | Executor. I Rodert died 1921. |
| 1922 |
Hermann Rodert Bertha Rodert |
labourer spinster |
Hahndorf Hahndorf |
Son of I Rodert. Daughter of I Rodert. |
| 1940 | Gilbert James | carpenter | Kent Town | |
| 1948 | Stefan Heysen * | picture dealer | Hahndorf | |
| 1955 |
Colin Langbein Betty, his wife |
plasterer home duties |
Hahndorf Hahndorf |
Nee Kuchel. |
Notes:
- # C Bartel shifted to Salem, near Callington, to farm.
- % J Willemer was also a cabinetmaker & undertaker in partnership with his son-in-law, Julius Rodert. The workshop still stands on No 36 Main St; the family home at No 32 Main St.
- * Son of artist Sir Hans Heysen.
-
Ownership details are complete to the first Metric title 4115/984. Sub-division took place after this date.
- Sub-lot 1: 34 Main Street
- Sub-lot 2: 36 Main Street
- Sub-lot 3: 3 Thiele Grove
