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Huis te Kinderdijk. Deftig herenhuis van parterre en verdieping

Huis te Kinderdijk. Deftig herenhuis van parterre en verdieping Alblasserdam

Huis te Kinderdijk. Deftig herenhuis van parterre en verdieping

Huis te Kinderdijk is a stately mansion located along the Noord River, nestled between the Lammetjeswiel and Rijzenwiel in the picturesque town of Alblasserdam, Netherlands. This grand house, now a national monument since May 7, 1968, boasts a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century, with its origins tracing even further back to around 1600.

The Architecture of Huis te Kinderdijk

The architectural beauty of Huis te Kinderdijk is a testament to the craftsmanship of its unknown architect. Originally believed to be a farmhouse built around the 1600s, the mansion is constructed from red brick in a cross bond pattern, with distinctive one-and-a-half brick roll layers above the window frames. The facade is crowned with a list gable and a hardstone plinth, inscribed with the cursive text Huis te Kinderdijk.

The front facade is divided into five window axes, with the entrance on the ground floor featuring a hardstone stoop. The central bay is adorned with pilasters at the corners, adding to its stately appearance. The door frame is equipped with a transom and a gutter supported by intricately carved consoles decorated with floral motifs. Both the door and window frames have hardstone sills, adding to the mansion's elegance.

The upper floor window is flanked by Louis XV-style ornaments, with a garland of leaves beneath it. This garland features a book, a quill, and a scroll, referencing the legend of the cradle that washed ashore during the St. Elizabeth's Flood of 1421. According to the tale, a baby named Beatrix was saved by a cat that kept the cradle afloat by jumping back and forth, protecting it from the waves. An illustration of this event is displayed above the window.

The sash windows are adorned with crossbars, and the ground floor windows are equipped with shutters. The mansion is topped with a tent roof covered in slates, with two chimneys at the intersections. The rear extension has a partially flat roof with an adjoining sloping cap. The front of the house features two dormer windows with ornate frames and pediments. A conservatory is attached to the east side, and an external chimney is built along the west wall.

The Park

The park surrounding Huis te Kinderdijk is a lush expanse of lawns, avenues, and approximately 100 trees, including maples, lindens, chestnuts, and beeches, several of which are monumental. At the center is a meandering pond, giving the park the appearance of an English-style landscape garden. To the west of the house is a grape wall, although it is in poor condition as of 2022.

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The History of Huis te Kinderdijk

The estate and the current house were established in the first half of the 18th century. Until 1840, two houses stood in place of the mansion, which were then combined into the grand house known as Huis te Kinderdijk. In 1803, Arij Bakker purchased one of the houses from Johannes Rijkee. After Bakker's death in 1804, his widow sold the combined property to art collector Boen Papenhuyzen in 1814.

Following Boen's death in 1841, his sister Judith Papenhuyzen sold the estate, as advertised in the Rotterdamsche Courant. Cornelis Smit purchased the house but quickly resold it to Peter Landberg, a wealthy merchant captain, in the same year. Landberg resided in the house, which was then numbered 177.

In 1845, Jan van Os acquired the house and sold it in 1849 to Murk Lels, director of the L. Smit & Co. towing company. The house remained in the Lels family until 1901, serving as the company's headquarters until it moved to Rotterdam. From 1901 to 1907, the house was rented by the mayor of Alblasserdam, jhr. Volkert Huibert de Villeneuve. Pieter Lels rented and later purchased the house in 1914, undertaking significant renovations and establishing the current park.

In 1931, the Lels family transferred the house to the Maatschappij tot Exploitatie van Het Huis te Kinderdijk N.V., which leased it out. The park was maintained by the municipality and opened to the public for a fee. Ary Martinus Lels rented the house from 1952 and eventually acquired all shares, closing the park to the public. The house was rented out during the years he did not reside there.

In 1977, tenant Herman Kanters bought the house and undertook extensive renovations. As of 2022, the house and park are for sale, with significant overdue maintenance. The municipality of Alblasserdam is considering purchasing the park to integrate it with the existing public park behind it.

Trivia

In the early 20th century, it was customary for every ship from L. Smit & Co. passing by the house on the Noord River to greet with three whistle signals. If Pieter Lels was home, he would appear at the window and return the greeting with his hat in hand.

During excavation work for a garage at Huis te Kinderdijk in 1916, a Baardmankruik was discovered containing 13 gold and 124 silver coins from the Spanish era, minted under the reigns of Ferdinand and Isabella, Emperor Charles V, and Philip II. This suggests that there was likely a building on the site in the 16th or 17th century.

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