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History: The property was granted to Thomas Barry in 1839, who apparently built the house without delay. Later it became the residence of the magistrate and was known as the Residency. It has recently been purchased and restored by Historical Homes Limited.

Swellengrebel and Voortrek Streets have many interesting and historical old houses round which the history of Swellendam can be embroidered. But it does not end here. Van Oudtshoorn Street is indeed only an extension of Voortrek Street and also has its share in the history of the town. On the right of this little street where it makes a bend before running up the hill, stands the Heemraden House or the Old Residency.
It is generally known that Swellendam was the head quarters of the commercial kingdom of the firm Barry and Nephews for many years. Joseph Barry, the actual head of the huge concern, lived here. One of his nephews, Thomas Barry, had to look after the interests of the firm at Port Beaufort. Thus he had his home there. It stands to reason that he often went to Swellendam on business. The land on which the Heemraden House now stands was granted to him in 1839. He had this house built on it without delay and used it as his town house all his life.
The house was built on a U-shaped ground-plan with one of its exceptionally long wings parallel to the street. In the middle of this wing we find the front-door with its square fanlight and a half round roof window above it. It has a thatched roof and, according to Dr. Mary Cook, all the characteristics of a typical late-Georgian building: a double door, divided vertically, and windows with a sliding top sash.
After Thomas Barry’s death the Cape Government purchased the house as a town house for the heemraden of Swellendam and later it served as the residence of the landdrost for many years.
However, the house was allowed to fall into disrepair and had already been declared unfit for occupation when it was turned over to Historical Homes of South Africa Ltd. in 1968. The directors of this body had the place carefully restored in 1969.
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Construction Date: 1839c
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