Kwekwe: Paper House and Woodland

A Building with a Story of Its Own

The Paper House and Sebakwe Poort give Kwekwe two distinct features: an unusual history of construction and use in town, and a woodland landscape nearby. The Paper House was built as a residence in 1894 and later served as the office of the first mine manager of the Globe and Phoenix Mine. It is a prefabricated building; its walls are made of papier-mâché and wire mesh. This construction makes the building an unusual point of interest for anyone interested in building methods and local history.

The Paper House is the only surviving one of three such buildings that were brought from London to Rhodesia. Its origins are therefore part of its story, as is its material. The unusual construction and the journey of the three buildings offer different perspectives on the same house. For planning your trip together, one specific conversation starter is: What stands out about the papier-mâché and wire-mesh construction, and what makes its journey from London to Rhodesia interesting?

From Use to Landmark

The years 1894 and 1975 mark different milestones: the first is when the house was built as a residence; in 1975, it was declared a historic building and national monument. In between, its use changed, as the house later served as the office of the first mine manager of the Globe and Phoenix Mine. This sequence distinguishes its construction, later use, and landmark status. For planning your trip together, it offers a simple way into the local history: construction, use, and its designation as a monument can be considered as separate chapters.

The Paper House is preserved in fairly good condition. Most of the artifacts in the house are originals. The condition refers to the building, while the original character refers to the artifacts: these details add to the historical perspective, but concern different things. Exploring the Paper House therefore brings both its construction and its artifacts into view. Both can provide a starting point for conversation as you learn about the local history together or discover different aspects along the way.

Woodland Near Kwekwe

Sebakwe Poort, near Kwekwe, offers a different perspective. The 262-hectare area is a natural, largely untouched woodland with numerous native tree species, including several species of Acacia. Alongside a single historic building, it offers a nature-focused attraction with its own scale and diverse tree life. The woodland and its native species appeal to different travel interests than the Paper House’s history of construction and use.

This distinction can also help guide your choice of a holiday apartment in Kwekwe. The Paper House is in town, while Sebakwe Poort is nearby. Consider whether you would rather focus your trip on the history of an unusual building or whether the surrounding woodland better suits your interests.

Discover more destinations: Chiredzi, Mashava, Hwange, Gweru, Zvishavane, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Victoria Falls

For the broader travel overview: Zimbabwe.