"Castle de Haar"
Description
Haarzuilens near Utrecht is home to De Haar Castle, a comfortable nineteenth-century mansion built as a fairy-tale castle on the remains of a medieval castle. In 1892, Etienne baron Van Zuylen van Nyevelt decided to revive this ruin in all its glory. The famous architect P.J.H. Cuypers was brought in to realise these grand plans. Implementation would eventually take some 20 years.
The castle was equipped with all kinds of modern facilities such as central heating, electric lighting, sanitary facilities and lifts. To ensure expert input, engineering firm C.A. Huijgen from Rotterdam was called in. This firm, founded in 1885, had won its spurs in the construction of the technical installations in the Concertgebouw and Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Huijgen represented numerous foreign companies. Important in this was the Eisenwerk Kaiserslautern (EWK) based there, which played a major role in implementing the installations at the castle.
In connection with the current restoration, research was carried out into these historical installations. In the process, grateful use could be made of the castle's extensive archive, which is currently at the Nai in Rotterdam. The partly preserved correspondence of C.A. Huijgen, including with the architect and the construction supervisor, and the numerous drawings provide a fascinating insight into the installation technology of around 1900.
De Vier Balken is located at Brinkstraat 3, 3455 SK Haarzuilens. Ample parking is available.
Route from the Vier Balken to castle De Haar (Kasteellaan 1, 3455 RR Haarzuilens): from the car park, turn right and then follow the signs castle. Park in the visitors' car park. Gather in front of the gatehouse. The guided tour lasts about an hour, after which visitors can visit the garden on their own.
PROGRAMME:
09.45 am
Reception with coffee at De Vier Balken in Haarzuilens
10.15 am
The historical installations by Drs Meindert Stokroos
11.00 am
Break with coffee
11.30 hrs
The restoration by ir. Cor Bouwstra
12.30 hrs
Lunch
13.30 hrs
Departure to castle De Haar (by own transport)
14.00 hrs
Guided tour of the castle and garden
16.00 o'clock
End of the meeting
INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAMME
Meindert Stokroos will make a study of the installations, which were modern for that time (ca. 1900), such as central heating, sanitary and water facilities, telephone and lifts.
Cor Bouwstra (restoration architect) will talk about the many aspects of the castle, which require the necessary attention with regard to the restoration.
During the tour, places will be visited, which are not included in the usual route. In the garden there is still a - now rare - concrete "tree trunk bridge".
This is the last activity of the '07-'08 season. Preparations for the '08-'09 season will begin in the summer. If you have ideas for a lecture or excursion, please let the programme commissioner know by e-mail or telephone
Location
Organiser
History of Technology
Association Histechnica
Name and contact details for information
INFORMATION Information from R. Lutke Schipholt at the e-mail address below.