Wilhelminaoord is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Colonies of Benevolence and lies within the Frederiksoord-Wilhelminaoord UNESCO component. This component is a so-called “free” colony: small farms are situated along tree-lined avenues. This gives the destination a clear focus on colonial history and landscape design. At the same time, there are specific historic sites and a botanical garden, allowing you to weigh up cultural history and plant collections as different interests for your stay.
A colonial landscape in the village
Wilhelminaoord has a rectilinear network of tree-lined avenues and numerous monuments. Together, they give the colonial village a distinctive character: its history is evident both in individual buildings and in the layout along the avenues. The small farms in the UNESCO component are also part of this landscape. If you are interested in colonial history, you can therefore take in the buildings, avenues and settlement layout together.
School, church and traces of everyday life
The Schooltje Wilhelminaoord was built in 1821, together with the schoolmaster’s house. Children aged six and over were required to attend school there. The cemetery in Wilhelminaoord offers a glimpse of another part of the story: it was established around 1820 for directors, officials and colonists of the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid. It is home to the cast-iron grave monument of Daniella Elisabeth van Oosterhoudt, the widowed De Sturler and mother of Johannes van den Bosch’s second wife. The monument is listed in the Rijksmonumenten register.
The Koloniekerkje stands on the boundary between Frederiksoord and Wilhelminaoord. It was built in 1851 to fulfil the obligation to attend church within the colonies. It is available as a venue for weddings, family celebrations, anniversaries, meetings and other gatherings. Kolonieconcerten presents classical chamber music there on Sunday afternoons. If you are planning a visit for a concert, check the current programme, as dates and programmes may change.
The history of work and welfare is also present in specific places. The combined Mandenmakerij/Weverij was built in 1900 after the previous factory burned down. The Mandenmakerij offered colonists who were not suited to heavy farm work factory employment as an alternative. The Netherlands’ first almshouses were built in Wilhelminaoord in 1893; they are part of Rustoord. The outdoor exhibition “Het Verhaal van Kolonie Wilhelminaoord” provides information about the first schools and almshouses built there. It can be viewed at “Ons Dorpshuis” in the heart of the colonial village.
Another story is connected with Hoeve Prinses Marianne. It was initially called Hoeve De Dankbaarheid. Only later was it discovered that the anonymous donation for its construction had come from Princess Marianne. Along with the school, church, cemetery and workplaces, this example adds another chapter to the story of the colony.
Botanical garden and walking routes
The three-hectare Botanische Tuin - Mei Chu offers a different focus. Here, 80 species of bamboo are combined with various Asian plants, original Philippine bamboo houses and several bodies of water. Three national plant collections are housed there under the NPC (Nederlandse Planten Collectie). The historic sites and plant collections thus cater to two clearly distinct interests: colonial history as reflected in the village on the one hand, and botanical diversity in the garden on the other.
The Weldadig Rondje is signposted in both directions with green signs bearing the words “Weldadig Rondje”. You can extend your walk to Wilhelminaoord to discover its historic buildings and sites. If you are planning a themed stay, this selection can help guide you: the avenues, monuments and historic institutions shape the cultural-history focus, while the Botanische Tuin - Mei Chu offers a distinctive garden experience.
Discover more destinations: Frederiksoord, Havelte, Nijensleek, Dwingeloo, Oude Willem, Diever, Vledderveen, Doldersum.
View the full travel guide: Westerveld.
