On Saturday 14 September on Open Monument Day the Oudheidkamer is open. At 10:30 and 14:00 a guided tour starts at the Oudheidkamer Kerksingel 26 Ridderkerk. With the guide Aart van Dragt walk through the old centre of Ridderkerk. The number of participants per guided tour is limited to 15 people.
Advance registration is required. Reservations must be made with the number of people and the preferred time (please state if you cannot attend at the other time). Send your email to ‘[email protected]’. “Your reservation has only been accepted once you have received a positive response from us,” the Oudheidkamer said.
“Part of the tour is a visit to the former Hofstede Rocanna Molensteeg 34/36. This monument has not been open to the public before. The current resident Wiek Dam, whose ancestors have lived at this location since the 17th century through inheritance, will provide an explanation. During the tour you will hear stories about the architectural style, interior and family history. The former farm has been designated as a municipal monument in its entirety. After a fire in 1965, the barn was not rebuilt. The house is a beautiful example of the architecture of that time; a combination of the Amsterdam style and Art Deco. We see this in the roof construction, brickwork, windows, terrazzo floors, stained glass motifs and details in the interior. It is fascinating that in the twenties of the last century a modern wind was already blowing on the island of IJsselmonde. In addition to the existing features, Wiek Dam has brought out or brought back a number of these details. In the hall, the original historical colours have been applied to the stairs, windows after research and doors. When the softboard of the beamed ceilings was removed, the ceilings on the ground floor were still in their original colours. Inside, there is still a large part of furniture from previous generations. What was missing has been added in recent years. This makes you feel like you are in bygone times of a vanished social class when you enter the house.”
The tour is expected to last one and a half to two hours.
