Two visitors in front of Boerhaavelaan 6.We have just experienced the Open Monumentendag (Open Monuments weekend; 13-14 September 2025) at the TRC’s new home, Boerhaavelaan 6 (known as B6 at the TRC), here in Leiden, just behind the railway station.The building has recently been acquired by the Stichting Monumenten Bezit, which will shortly, also thanks to Leiden Council, make it available to the TRC.
It was the first time this historic building had been open to the public and we were involved in such an event. It was a steep learning curve, but great fun, both for us and for the volunteers and organisers of the Monumentendag.
The new TRC home, view from the garden.On Saturday B6 was open from 12.00 until 17.00 and on Sunday from 10.00 until 17.00. On both days there was a constant flow of people, much to the amazement and delight of all of us. On Saturday afternoon there were 313 visitors, while Sunday saw well over 650 (I have yet to receive the exact number).
This means that, in total, nearly 1000 people came to see the villa. There were guided tours with a brief introduction being given of its intriguing history, or people could simply wander around the house. As somebody said, the history of the 20th century is encapsulated in this urban villa, which was home to the Barge family (Prof. Barge was the Rector Magnificus of Leiden University from 1937-1938) for nearly 100 years.
Inside Boerhaavelaan 6, the monumental staircase with stained glass ceiling.In addition, the TRC volunteers gave details about the future inhabitants of the building, namely the TRC! People were very curious about the future of the building, who, what, when and why, and many promised to come back when we have settled in. Details were asked about our exhibitions, courses, workshops, etc. When would there be a list of workshops, would would there be one on natural dyeing, what about the repairing of clothing, etc.?
Other people offered family heirlooms for the TRC Collection, including the Christening robe of someone's grandmother (alas there was no photograph of her grandmother in the garment), another had items from North America. There was one lady who offered some damask. And today (17 Sept.) we picked up a lovely carpet and a large wooden bookcase from a family who live just opposite 'our' new home. Personally, I think the carpet will look lovely in the hallway.
Mother and son looking at a collection of lace, donated to the TRC by the former owners of Boerhaavelaan 6.In addition to all the personal attention we were mentioned in a report in the local newspaper, the Leidsch Dagblad, about the Open Monumentendag in Leiden in general (this was on Monday 15th September). We were then rung up by one of their journalists to see if he could come that afternoon to see B6 and interview me about the TRC and our plans.
The article came out on the next day (Tuesday), with the TRC mentioned on the front cover (with a photograph of yours truly) and a longer article inside. So it is now well and truly established in Leiden that B6 is the new home of the TRC!
We have verbally agreed, that if all goes as planned, then Boerhaavelaan 6 will also be opened for the 2026 Open Monumentendag, so that people can come and see what has been happening to the building and admire the various exhibitions, etc.
Gillian Vogelsang, 17 September 2025
