Here stands Huis Barnaart a testament to Haarlem’s rich history. It is located on the Nieuwe Gracht. This monumental house has been open as a museum since 2021.
Willem Philip Barnaart commissioned Abraham van der Hart to build this house. Barnaart wanted his house on the Nieuwe Gracht to be renovated. But he decided to construct a new building. Barnaart laid the first stone on January 26 1804. The coach house and coachman’s house were retained from the old house. King Lodewijk Napoleon visited the house in 1807. After Barnaart’s death in 1851 the house passed into other hands.
From 1880 it was no longer privately owned. It served as the official residence for the King’s Commissioner. Later it housed various organizations. In 1991 the building was restored. Since 2002 it has been owned by the Vereniging Hendrick de Keyser. The interior was restored in 2016.
The Vereniging Hendrick de Keyser transformed the building into a museum. It opened in July 2021. Furniture from the Royal Collection is on loan from the Paleis op de Dam.
The building features a wide stately facade. It includes classic Ionic pilasters made of Bentheimer sandstone. The central section is covered by a front with a round-arched window. The high double stairs have beautiful railings. Stone posts with chains stand in front of the house. The house has one of the first Empire-style interiors in the Netherlands. Joseph Cuel was involved in the interior design of Huis Barnaart. He also contributed to the conversion of Amsterdam’s town hall into a palace for King Lodewijk Napoleon in 1808. The building has been a national monument since 1969.
As a young man Philip Barnaart had this reception house built. Abraham van der Hart built it on the Haarlem canal. The result was a city palace with the best-preserved Empire interior in the Netherlands.
Three buildings were replaced by this house. It is more than 22 meters wide and deep. Abraham van der Hart was the executive architect. He was also an artistic director. All designs bear his signature. Many craftsmen worked on the construction and interior finishing. The best craftsmen from Haarlem and Amsterdam were involved.
The Golden Salon is the eye-catcher of Huis Barnaart. The room’s decoration is extremely rich. The finish is original and well-preserved. The purple-covered furniture was already present in Barnaart’s time. The Golden Salon was intended to impress guests. Gilding alone cost 19000 guilders. The salon and house were furnished in the latest French Empire style.
The furniture was unique. The woodwork was completely gilded. This gave them an imperial allure. Later this furniture was imitated in the Royal Palace on Dam Square. The furniture was carefully restored in 2019.
Philip Barnaart received distinguished guests. These included Lodewijk Napoleon and Prince of Orange. During receptions the kitchen was very busy. Jeanette Van Deelen described a festive dinner at Huis Barnaart in 1807. She listed the richly decorated rooms. She also named the 21 dishes served.
Each room has its own character. They differ in color and materials. The antechamber has painted decorations. The salon is gilded. The dining room walls are fitted with imitation marble. The family rooms are more sober.
The blue room with slatted wallpaper was the daily dining room. Barnaart had 12 children. Letters reveal that Barnaart missed his family.
Come explore Huis Barnaart. Imagine the lavish parties and the important figures who once walked these halls. Feel the history and beauty of this remarkable house. It is a true gem of Haarlem.