Margaretha’s Hoeve

Hidden amidst the landscape of Nieuw-Vennep stands Margaretha’s Hoeve. This isn’t just any farm. It’s the southernmost farmhouse in North Holland, a relic of a time when this region was newly reclaimed land. Margaretha’s Hoeve, built in 1862, originally encompassed a vast 120 football fields. It was a testament to the agricultural boom of the Haarlemmermeerpolder. The farm’s namesake, Margaretha, likely connects back to Wilhelmina Margaretha, sister of the land’s original owner. The first resident, Melis Spaans, wasn’t just a farmer. He also served as a council member, alderman, and registrar, recording some of the area’s earliest births right within the farmhouse walls. Tragedy struck in 1880 when fire ravaged the original structure. The Hoeve was rebuilt on its original foundation, though, this time, with a tiled roof. The new façade even featured a decorative dakhuis, reflecting the increasing importance of comfort and style. The Bulk family took over Margaretha’s Hoeve in 1886, becoming renowned for their carriage horses. They eventually bought the farm in 1908. The Hoeve is a verlengde stolpboerderij, a type of extended farmhouse unique to North Holland. Its design cleverly housed family, livestock, hay, wagons, and tools all under one massive, pyramid-shaped roof. Margaretha’s Hoeve boasts not one, but four interconnected square structures in its extended section. This unusual size highlights the scale of farming operations in the 19th century. In the 20th century, the Haarlemmermeer region became a hub for equestrian sports. The Bulk family, already known for their horses, furthered this tradition. Jan Dirk Bulk, one of the family members, focused on harness horses. His stallion, Oregon, became a cornerstone of Dutch harness horse breeding, even lending his name to the prestigious “Oregon Trophy”. The Hoeve remained a working farm until 2005. Then, the surrounding land was designated as the “Venneperhout” forest and recreation area. After the last Bulk family member left in 2017, Stadsherstel purchased the property. Today, Margaretha’s Hoeve serves a new purpose. It offers a home for people with memory problems and dementia, following the Herbergier care concept. The former barn now houses 16 unique apartments, carefully designed to preserve original features like exposed beams and the impressive timber frame. Even a brick water trough from the farm’s early days remains. In the heart of the Hoeve lies a communal living room and kitchen. In the surrounding grounds, a restored TB cottage stands as a testament to the site’s layered history. Margaretha’s Hoeve stands as a symbol of resilience. It’s a place where history and community intertwine. It transitioned from an agricultural powerhouse to a place of care, echoing the changing needs of the community it serves.