Museum De Proefkolonie | World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence - Frederiksoord

The Colonies of Benevolence is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021 and is located both in the Netherlands and in Flanders. From 1818, colonies were founded here in undeveloped areas in the former Kingdom of the Netherlands. The aim was to give the poor people from the city work and a better life in the countryside. A social experiment that wanted to improve the world and society through structure, coercion and discipline.

About one million (!) Belgians and Dutch are descendants of people who lived in the Colonies of Benevolence. Dive into the archives at https://www.kolonienvanweldadigheid.eu/zoek-je-voorouders and find out if you too are a descendant!

Frederiksoord was the first test colony in the new 'Maatschappij van Weldadigheid'. In the museum, you can travel 200 years back in time and step into the world of Johannes van den Bosch and other colonists. Also go exploring outside the museum; take a look at a replica of the colony school and a colony house.

Want to visit other parts of the Colonies of Weldadigheid? Go to: https://www.kolonienvanweldadigheid.eu

Photo 1: ©Miranda Drenth - via World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence
Photo 2: ©James van Leuven - via World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence