’t Rosevelt - Oud-Vossemeer

The farmlands between Oud-Vossemeer and Poortvliet once formed a corner of land already known in 1481 as ’t Rosevelt. It’s believed that Claes Martenszen van Rosevelt owned this patch of land before leaving it in the second half of the 17th century to set sail with his wife and five children to the New World. Claes Martenszen became the forefather of the Roosevelt family of New York.

Where the old cultural landscape of ’t Rosevelt fades into wilder terrain, you’ll find the Thoolse Dijkbeemden. This nature reserve follows the path of ancient sea dikes like the Puitse Dike, some of which may date back to the 11th century. These dikes form green ribbons through the land, lined with poplars, walnut trees and native herbs such as wild marjoram and teasel. Together with the wet meadows, they offer shelter to birds, butterflies and small mammals.

The Dijkbeemden tell a different story about this region. Not one of reclaiming and leaving, but one of preserving and letting nature return. Here, history and nature truly merge.