Chilenje House 394, located in
Chilenje,
Lusaka,
Zambia
Zambia (), officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central, Southern and East Africa, although it is typically referred to as being in Southern Africa at its most central point. Its neighbours are t ...
a
Museum
A museum ( ; plural museums or, rarely, musea) is a building or institution that cares for and displays a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Many public museums make thes ...
, a house in which Dr
Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth David Kaunda (28 April 1924 – 17 June 2021), also known as KK, was a Zambian politician who served as the first President of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. He was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule. Diss ...
lived from January 1960 to December 1962. He later became the
first president of Zambia. From this house, he directed the struggle for Independence of Zambia, which was finally achieved on 24 October 1964.
It is described as a simple two-bed roomed residential house with a small living room and a kitchen. It lies in a spacious compound littered with giant trees that seem to thrive on a stony ground."
Three houses are included in the protected monument, and have been restored as nearly as possible to their 1962 condition by the demolition of improvements effected since that date. House No. 394 has been redecorated in its original colour scheme, and much of the furniture and personal effects used by the
Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth David Kaunda (28 April 1924 – 17 June 2021), also known as KK, was a Zambian politician who served as the first President of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. He was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule. Diss ...
family at that time has been replaced in the original positions. House No. 395 contains displays illustrating the history and growth of
Lusaka from the earliest times and the political development of
Zambia
Zambia (), officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central, Southern and East Africa, although it is typically referred to as being in Southern Africa at its most central point. Its neighbours are t ...
. House No. 393 is the caretaker's residence.
The monument was officially opened by Dr
Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth David Kaunda (28 April 1924 – 17 June 2021), also known as KK, was a Zambian politician who served as the first President of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. He was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule. Diss ...
on 23 October 1968. It is open to the public daily except on Monday afternoons and Tuesdays, from 10:00hrs to 13:00hrs and from 14:00hrs to 17:00hrs
Declaration
The site was declared as a National Monument and its doors opened to the public on 23 October 1968.
It has since been managed by the
National Heritage Conservation Commission.
See also
*
Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth David Kaunda (28 April 1924 – 17 June 2021), also known as KK, was a Zambian politician who served as the first President of Zambia from 1964 to 1991. He was at the forefront of the struggle for independence from British rule. Diss ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chilenje House
Museums in Zambia
History of Zambia
Buildings and structures in Lusaka
Tourist attractions in Lusaka Province