Augusta de Gunzbourg (r) and Gillian Vogelsang (l) proudly showing the keys to Boerhaavelaan 6 (Leiden), the planned new home of the TRC.Well, there we are: This morning we received the keys to the urban villa in Leiden where, we hope, the TRC will continue its activities, before the end of the year. The house is owned by Monumentenbezit, a national organisation that manages a wide series of monumental buildings in the Netherlands, including churches and castles. A few weeks ago it also became the owner of this lovely building in the centre of Leiden, just behind the central railway station, namely Boerhaavelaan 6.

We have not yet signed the final rental contract, but we already can show people around who will help us with moving as well as interior work such as cleaning, painting, carpets, etc. We will also be helping to prepare the building for visitors during Monumenten Weekend, 13-14 September, when we hope to welcome anyone interested in the building itself and in the plans of the TRC.

The house was designed by the famous Leiden architect, Hendrik Jesse, and dates from 1909. For long it was the family home of Prof. Ton Barge (1884-1952), a former chancellor of Leiden University (1937-1938) and member of the Eerste Kamer (Senate) from 1937-1949, as well as an outspoken opponent of national-socialistic influences at the University. A plaque attached to the house commemorates his protest speech on 26 September 1940 against the racial theories of the Nazis and the dismissal from Leiden University of Jewish colleagues.

We shortly hope to provide more information about the house, Monumenten Weekend, and the plans of the TRC, but in the meantime, perhaps we can welcome you on Saturday 13 September, 12.00 – 17.00, or on Sunday 14 September, 10.00 – 17.00?

Gillian Vogelsang, 3 September 2025