The first load of more than 400 boxes being moved from Hogewoerd 164 to temporary storage, 7 November 2025.It's been quite a time at the TRC. A few weeks ago we heard about the discovery of (more) asbestos in various parts of the TRC’s new home at the Boerhaavelaan (known to us as B6). We are not allowed into the whole of the building and garden for all of November, while the asbestos is being removed.

An understandable, but frustrating ban, which has caused problems with respect to the move from Hogewoerd to B6, as well as building and painting requirements in the new building. Not to mention the fact we were supposed to be out of our current building by the end of December.

Fortunately, the owner of the Hogewoerd building has just said we can stay there until mid-January, which will make a considerable difference. All being well (fingers and toes crossed) the work on the internal needs of our new home will start on the 5th December and we can officially move in by mid-January.

Library boxes being moved, 7 November 2025.In the meantime we are busy with sorting out, packing and indeed a general clearing up. The first load of boxes, including about 500 containing the TRC Library, together with shop, kitchen and office items, and some of the glass showcases, have just gone into storage.

We are now preparing the next load that will be moved in December, hopefully to the new building. This will include part of the TRC’s amazing collection of textiles and dress from around the world (about 3000 collection boxes), as well as more mundane items such as racks, furniture, showcases and yes, even more book and normal removal boxes…. The rest of the collection and racks will be moved in early January.

Curtains and kitchen

At the end of October we had time to measure up B6 for new curtains with the idea of having the same curtain material (a warm reddish brown cloth with a bit of a textured effect) throughout the building to help with the concept of unity. We also discussed what we will need in the re-vamped (well basically new) kitchen cum meeting room or what the Dutch call the waterpomp where people come together for a gossip (sorry, serious academic conversations and far ranging planning), coffee, tea and biscuits (the latter are essential for the running of the TRC as workshop participants and visitors know). Keep the kitchen simple, but comfortable, is once again the message.

Ground floor, looking through the partition into the back (garden) room, Boerhaavelaan 6. Photograph courtesy Monumentenbezit.Garden

A few days ago we sent round a blog about the idea of a textile garden at the new premises. The response to this idea was very positive and various (both amateur and professional) people have offered to help either as gardeners or with the designing of the textile garden itself. Once we can get back into the garden we will have a meeting to discuss in detail what is possible.

In the blog we also mentioned that we were looking for 6,000 euros to pay for initial costs, including a small greenhouse, tools, etc. A long-term friend of the TRC popped in to the Hogewoerd and we discussed what was needed, our connections with the Hortus, a professional gardener's interest in the idea, etc., and he has offered to pay the 6,000 euros! Not only that, he has also already made half of the money over so we can get started! Many thanks.

Library

So after working on the curtains, kitchen and garden (sometimes all at the same time) we are now looking in greater detail at the actual needs of the library. This includes working out exactly how many metres of wooden bookshelves are needed in the two main library rooms (we are going for second-hand Lundia shelving as part of sustainability), as well as one bookcase that will be about 300 x 250 cm in size and going on one of the staircase landings.

In addition, we will need two tables, eight (comfortable) chairs, two corner showcases, and funding for the next few years to build up the main section of the TRC Library, as well as a special section dedicated to gardening and practical books about fibres, dyes and plant accessories. We have estimated that we need 10,000 euros for the shelving, 1,500 euros for the tables/chairs and showcases, as well as 5,000 euros for buying relevant textile and dress books. We are going to apply to various funding bodies to help with the library, but if you are also willing to help, please let me know at Dit e-mailadres wordt beveiligd tegen spambots. JavaScript dient ingeschakeld te zijn om het te bekijken.

Next week we are having meetings about various contracts, insurance issues with having salaried staff, further discussions with the removal company, the owners of Boerhaavelaan 6, as well as a meeting at Leiden City Hall to discuss the idea of a long annex for the collection. As soon as we have more details about the annex meeting I will let you know.

Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, 9 November 2025