Royal Tropical Institute

From a colonial museum’s humble start in Haarlem in 1864, the Royal Tropical Institute blossomed in Amsterdam. Its journey began with botanist Frederik Willem van Eeden’s fascinating collection of artifacts from the Dutch East Indies. The collection, initially anthropological and cultural objects, grew. Research on tropical products like coffee beans and rattan followed. As public interest in the tropics surged, the museum, along with the ‘Vereeniging Koloniaal Instituut,’ envisioned a grander institution in Amsterdam. In 1910, with support from the Ministry of the Colonies, the City of Amsterdam, Artis Royal Zoo, and prominent businesses, the Colonial Institute was founded. Its new home? The former Eastern Cemetery of Amsterdam. Johannes van Nieukerken’s neo-renaissance design, completed by his sons after his passing, was chosen. World War I hampered construction. Material scarcity, strikes, storm damage, and harsh winters prolonged the process to eleven years. Finally, on October 9, 1926, Queen Wilhelmina inaugurated the Royal Tropical Institute. The building, later designated a national monument, became a hub of activity. It even hosted the World Social Economic Conference in 1931. During World War II, the building housed the Grüne Polizei, but also served as a resistance hub. Its intricate architecture provided hiding places and facilitated covert operations. Hendrik Colijn, grandson of a former prime minister, was among those who found refuge within its walls. After the war, with Dutch decolonization, the institute’s focus shifted. Renamed the Indisch Instituut in 1945 and later the Royal Tropical Institute in 1952, its mission evolved. It embraced international cooperation, intercultural understanding, and practical applications of science for socio-economic development and healthcare in newly independent nations. The Royal Tropical Institute faced challenges in later years, including budget cuts and the relocation of its extensive library collection. However, it adapted and continued its mission. Today, the Royal Tropical Institute, also known as KIT, stands as a testament to its rich history. It remains a center for expertise, education, and intercultural cooperation, contributing to a sustainable future.