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Drenthe, Netherlands
Photo: Gouwenaar, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Drenthse Veenkoloniën (Drenthe Peat Colonies) are a region in northwestern Drenthe, the Netherlands, spanning across the northwestern half of Westerveld. The region is dominated by its past, and the Society for Benevolence that set up these colonies in the first place.
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Colony I
The initial two colonies, including the 'experimental colony' are found in Frederiksoord, which is named after Prince Frederik, the second son of king William I and brother to the later king William II.
The House of Benevolence / Museum de Proefkolonie
Aside from a museum on the experimental colony, the House of Benevolence also includes the visitor centre for Frederiksoord.
Logement Frederiksoord
Predating the colonies, the hotel was built as a pub, but once the Society of Benevolence settled in the vicinity, it was expanded to also have several rooms, and in 1821 a directors' house was built to the side of the building, which allowed the colony's overseer to have a clear view of which colonists were drinking too much. The building got sold in 1885, which is when it got its modern name. Going bankrupt in 2009, the new owners still operate a hotel from this building.
Colony II
The colonies of Wilhelminaoord, Boschoord and Oostvierdeparten were founded between 1820 and 1822, and merged into Colony II in 1825. The colonies are linked together and link to Frederiksoord as well.
Once the end of the 19th century rolled around, the age of some of the colonists required different facilities. One of these were retirement homes. Rustoord II is one of them, catering to 25 unmarried or widowed elderly, while Rustoord I housed eight elderly couples.
Hunebed D52
D52 isn't a particularly good case of a dolmen. It is attributed to the funnel beaker culture (4350 - 2750 BC). It consists of a gatestone and six roofstones. The Dutch state only purchased the land and the dolmen in 1871, and written documents state that just over fifty years before purchase, this dolmen contained more stones than it does today. The dolmen contained some earthenware and a single flint arrow tip. Nearby, along the Boerweg, an accompanying stone cist was found, containing five funnel beakers, a plate, nursing bottle, axes, arrow tips and a Barnstone bead.
Museum focussed on the prehistory of West-Drenthe, from the Palaeolithic era to the early Middle Ages. In its permanent exhibitions you will find a mammoth-expo and archaeological artefacts from all prehistoric periods relevant to the Netherlands. Adding to this, there are local finds on display that are changed yearly.
Hosted in the former town hall of Vledder, the museum displays many items, forgeries and non-forgeries, to display even the best of counterfeit art.
Reservations can be made using the form on the website. Reservations are made when you receive an automatic confirmation email.
Huygens Huys
Antiquary in barometers and clocks with a side business in serving food, either as-is or in combination with your walk or a guided tour of the former post office.
Not to be confused with the hotel in the same town.
Small family business serving coffee, tea, juice, milk, ice and cake from own produce. Also features a small shop with local and traditional products.
Logement Frederiksoord
By car
Frederiksoord is located at the crossroads of the N353 and N855 national roads. The N855 winds its way through most of the extended region, while the N353 crosses into Friesland.
By public transit
Public transit is quite limited in the region. The easiest way to get to Frederiksoord, involves taking a train to Steenwijk and then switching onto bus 20 towards Assen.
Getting around by public transit is possible, though not very convenient.
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Groningen · International · GRQ
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