About Hermannsburg

HERMANNSBURG TODAY

Hermannsburg is controlled by the traditional Western Arrernte Aboriginal owners. Restoration work commenced on the historic buildings in 1988. Ntaria Land Trust is responsible for the township of Hermannsburg and the Historic Precinct. The precinct contains a collection of early photographs and memorabilia. Visitors are encouraged to stroll the grounds and buildings of the precinct and gain an interesting insight into early white settlement and Western Arrernte culture.

HERMANNSBURG EARLY HISTORY

Finke River Mission was established in 1877 on traditional Western Arrernte lands at Hermannsburg by pioneer Lutheran missionaries. Pastor’s Kempe and Schwarz. In the company of their wives, they made the arduous 20 month journey from Adelaide.

Following their arrival, contact was established with local Aborigines. A church, school and a number of other buildings were constructed. Extreme isolation and the high cost of transportation forced the missionaries to rely almost entirely on local building materials. They quarried sandstone and lime to construct walls, cut flagstone floors, and used desert oak wherever heavy timbers were required. The roofs were initially of reed thatch and later replaced with galvanised iron.

After 13 years of constant hardship and frustration, the first missionaries Kempe and Schwarz were broken men and the mission was abandoned in 1891.

In 1894 Pastor Carl Strehlow arrived, he remained there for 28 years. A gifted linguist, he dedicated his life to the service of Aborigines in Central Australia. In 1922, Pastor Carl Strehlow became ill and passed away at Horseshoe Bend, while attempting to reach hospital in Adelaide.

Pastor F. W. Albrecht was appointed to oversee the Finke River Mission in 1922 and remained there until his transfer to Alice Springs in 1952. Under his guidance many improvements came about. He established industries at Hermannsburg as a means of useful employment and self sufficiency. The introduction of a water pipeline in 1935 enabled a tannery to process kangaroo skins and cattle hides which were sent south for sale.

A number of Aborigines were encouraged to paint with watercolours. Most notable was Albert Namatjira who achieved world-wide recognition.

ART GALLERY

Situated within the confines of the precinct is the Hermannsburg Art Gallery. This building houses over 50 paintings including works by Albert Namatjira and other members of his family. Edwin Pareroultja, Otto Pareroultja and Cordula Ebatarinja are represented along with others in the gallery.
Work by local artists and craft persons is on display and may be purchased in the Kata-Anga Tea Rooms.

KATA-ANGA TEA ROOMS

Operating from one of the restored National Heritage Listed Buildings, the tea rooms have become renown for their homemade scones and German strudel. Light lunches tea, and coffee are available along with a good selection of large prints of Albert Namatjira’s works. An interesting pictorial history of Hermannsburg is displayed on the 600-800mm thick internal walls.