Dating back to the beginning of the 19th century, the Colonies of Benevolence were a unique and highly successful social experiment designed to curb poverty in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. By mid-1800, more than 11,000 people called these landscapes home and were striving to better their lives.
TRIVIA:
❒ Official name: Colonies of Benevolence
❒ Date of inscription: 2021
❒ Reference number: 1555rev
Did you know that the Netherlands is a home to 13 World Heritage Sites? Curious which they are? Read this:
➭ The 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Netherlands
Contents
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What are the Colonies of Benevolence
The Colonies of Benevolence (or Koloniën van Weldadigheid in Dutch) were a 19th-century social experiment designed to reduce severe poverty in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (modern Belgium and the Netherlands), unofficially known as the United Kingdom of the Netherlands between the years 1815 and 1839.
Construction of these sites began in 1818 as a method of pauper relief and settler colonialism, being mutually beneficial to the parties involved. The state provided housing, employment and education in exchange for the members of the colony converting previously unused land into profitable agricultural hubs.
As a form of reverse urbanization, poor urban residents would relocate to the countryside and start afresh, tilling the land and providing a better life for their families. This would prove to be highly advantageous, transforming citizens into forward-thinking, independent and empowered individuals.
History of the Colonies of Benevolence
In 1817 the Society of Benevolence (Maatschappij van Weldadigheid) was established which started acquiring larger plots of uncultivated land in Drenthe. In the period 1818-1825 seven colonies were founded: five in the Netherlands and two in Belgium. The first trial colony appeared in Frederiksoord, then followed the colonies in Willemsoord and Wilhelminaoord, all three of them of free type. The unfree colonies in the Netherlands were Ommerschans and Veenhuizen. The two Belgian colonies are the free Colony Wortel and the unfree Merksplas
The Colonies of Benevolence are a network of houses, farms, churches, schools and other forms of commercial buildings, intertwined with roads and avenues, often being home to various forms of agricultural plantings.
Two main forms of colony existed in the Colonies of Benevolence: free and unfree. While the free form mainly comprised of a network of small houses and farms that were arranged in a rigid, rectangular form with roads and common parks, its counterpart was a larger format of much the same layout – larger buildings, places of worship, interconnected housing units, schools and other industrial buildings.
Around 1859 it turned out that the model wasn’t quite profitable as the earnings were less than the costs. People didn’t have enough agricultural knowledge and the crops were failing as the land got exhausted. Although the experiment kind of failed, the landscape of Drenthe was changed forever, as well as the lives of many people.
Towards the end of the 19th century some of the colonies stopped, ans the Society started selling the land to private persons. The colonies were abandoned and started decaying. Since the1980s, however, the interest in this cultural heritage began to grow and lots of buildings have been restored, and the museums were established.
Frederiksoord
Frederiksoord was where it all began back in 1818, the oldest of all the colonies and an integral part of benevolent colonial history. It has an area of 310 ha. Today, the museum of the colonies is housed there.
Wilhelminaoord
Along with Boschoord and Oostvierdeparten, these three colonies make up Colony II of the Colonies of Benevolence. The colony was established between 1829 and 1822 and has an area of 779 ha.
Willemsoord
Perfectly exhibiting the symbiosis between historical and modern, this colony represents the balance between old and new. It was established between 1820 and 19823 as Colony III and has an area of 131 ha.
Ommerschans
A contrasting colony of vastness and confinement, where vast open expanses meet shut off areas around the fortress. It was the first unfree colony, established in 1819. It has an area of 800 ha.
Veenhuizen
Veenhuizen was the largest of all the colonies (1659 ha), with a history marked by forced labour and criminal isolation. It was established in 1823 as an unfree colony. Today, the National Prison Museum is located there.
Why are the Colonies of Benevolence a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
For a site to be classified worthy of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, certain criteria must be met. One of the most important of these criteria is that the site must be of outstanding universal value and be of significance throughout the world.
Unquestionably, the Colonies of Benevolence meet these criteria, if not going above and beyond what is required. They existed throughout the Netherlands and functioned to transform previously unused land into thriving and productive agricultural hubs, existing as both free and unfree colonies.
In addition to this, the inhabitants of the colonies were able to educate themselves, thus taking their place in society as proud, independent and self-sufficient citizens. The landscapes, as well as the monuments, statues and the like within, also add to the uniqueness and extraordinary nature of the sites.
How to visit the Colonies of Benevolence
The easiest way to get to the Colonies of Benevolence from Amsterdam is by car. A leisurely one-and-a-half-hour drive and you’re at the epicentre of benevolent colonial history. Alternatively, a two-hour train journey (with a small amount of walking) takes you to the Museum de Proefkolonie located in Frederiksoord, the oldest of all the colonies.
If you don’t want to drive, there is also an organized day tour from Amsterdam to Veenhuizen with a visit to the National Prison Museum.
From other major Dutch cities, such as The Hague and Rotterdam, the journey by train will take you between 2.5 and 3 hours, so sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery of the beautiful Dutch countryside. Depending on the time of year that you visit, you might even be able to see the tulip season in full bloom!
Here on the map you can find all 5 colonies in the Netherlands and the 2 museums:
Things to do at the Colonies of Benevolence
The Colonies of Benevolence are a network of houses, farms, places of worship, communal buildings, roads and open fields. One can view these unique sites of European history and discover them by walking and cycling, the latter being the most authentic method of Dutch transport. Alternatively, one can make use of the Colony Express, a sustainable way to experience the sites without expending too much energy. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
Museum de Proefkolonie
The Museum de Proefkolonie, which is located in Frederiksoord, is a wonderful starting point in your journey of discovery of these beautiful landscapes. The museum itself boasts an array of information, photographs, props and interactive materials designed to transport you back 200 years in history to experience what life was like living in these transformed rural wastelands.
At the museum you can also rent a bike and discover the area on two wheels like the locals.
Practical info: Huis van Weldadigheid, Museum De Proefkolonie
Address: Majoor van Swietenlaan 1a, 8382 CE Frederiksoord
Admission fee: adults – 10 EUR, children (5-12 yoa) – 5 EUR
Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday, from 10 am till 5 pm
Colony express: Sundays at 1:30 pm, during holidays also on Tuesdays and Thursdays; price: 4 EUR pp
The cluster of Frederiksoord, Willemsoord, Boschoord and Wilhelminaoord is surrounded by immense natural beauty of three national parks: Drents-Friese Wold, Dwingelderveld and Weerribben-Wieden. One may walk or cycle between the colonies and the parks, and there are many interesting sites to visit along the way. Learn a thing or two about basket making, visit the residential side of the colonies or become a scholar again at the horticultural or forestry schools.
National Prison Museum
The National Prison Museum (Nationale Gevangenismuseum) is located at the former unfree colony in Veenhuizen. The museum tells the story of the paupers and the beggars, and later of the imprisoned criminals. Besides the exhibitions at the museum, you can also visit the real prison in Veenhuizen and ride on the Prison Bus, which was used to transport the prisoners to their work.
Practical info: National Prison Museum
Address: Oude Gracht 1, 9341 AA Veenhuizen
Admission fee: adults – 11 EUR, children (4-12 yoa) – 5,50 EUR
Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday, from 10 am till 5 pm
Tip: You can buy a combined ticket for the two museums, Museum de Proefkolonie and the National Prison Museum. The price is 20 EUR for adults and 10 EUR for children.
Read more: Read her how to spend 3 days in the Dutch Province of Drenthe. The Museum in Frederiksoord is included on the itinerary.
Final words
The Colonies of Benevolence are a must-see site for all travellers visiting the Netherlands who have an interest in history and who are keen on learning more about the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Netherlands. Teeming with incredible artefacts, buildings, stories and so much more, this world heritage site represents an important time in Dutch history and ought not to be missed!
Do you need some extra help to plan your trip to the Netherlands? Join the dedicated Exploring the Netherlands Facebook Group, where you can get tips from other travellers and locals. Or perhaps you have questions or comments? Join the group and I’ll be happy to answer them.
