The certificate was discovered during a renovation in 1969 and preserved by Mr. Henk de Boer’s father-in-law. In 1969, he renovated the building into ‘t Hoolhoes, a company that imported porcelain and pottery. Henk de Boer, who later became the owner of the building, inherited the charter and preserved it for many years. His former neighbor, Mrs. Paula Hermans, was instrumental in finding a suitable home for the charter.
The archive of Pierre Cuypers’ construction project, consisting of original design drawings, is preserved in the Cuypers Archive at Het Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam. The certificate confirms Pierre Cuypers’ design for the Convent and Girls’ School. We now also know the date. Individuals involved in the construction signed the certificate. In addition to Pierre Cuypers’ signature, the document bears the signatures of the church council, the municipal council, the parish chaplain, the contractor, and the foreman.
The certificate is framed and can be viewed from both sides, as it is inscribed on both sides. The Cuypers House is adding the certificate and the stone to the Cuypers Collection. The donation will soon be viewable on the website.
Present at the handover were: Mr. Henk de Boer, Ms. Paula Hermans, and Messrs. Luuk Vries and Rob Plantaz, both of whom are involved with Amiepedia. Unfortunately, Chrit Damoiseaux of Amiepedia was unable to attend. He is the (chief) editor of an article about the Girls’ School and the article about the discovery of the stone containing the charter.
Annemieke Broeke, a collections specialist at the Cuypershuis, accepted the charter from Henk de Boer. Everyone involved is delighted that this small, tangible piece of heritage has been preserved.
Coincidence? The stone bears the inscription: “In honor of St. Joseph.” The convent and the girls’ school were dedicated to this saint. The donation took place on March 19, the feast day of St. Joseph. And so the circle is beautifully complete.
Caption for group photo:
From left to right: Luuk Vries, Paula Hermans, Annemieke Broeke, Henk de Boer, Rob Plantaz.