Picture this. A grand old house stands proudly on the corner. It’s ‘t Hoekhuis. Its history whispers secrets from centuries past. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to Paramaribo’s rich heritage a piece of Suriname’s soul.
‘t Hoekhuis sits on 18th-century foundations. It’s a beautiful early 19th-century structure. The house boasts a prime location at Waterkant 2. It faces the Suriname River. This charming building is part of Paramaribo’s historic inner city a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002.
Imagine the lives that have unfolded within its walls. Jacob Lemmers owned the land in 1712. He didn’t even live there. Years later in 1748 Willem Carl Strube a council member acquired the property at auction. Ownership changed hands many times. Lieutenant-Colonel Wigbolt Crommelin a former governor even owned ‘t Hoekhuis for a while. Frederik Cornelis Stolkert a wealthy planter was a later owner. He was married to Maria Susanna Duplessis until their separation around 1783.
The year 1821 marked a turning point. A devastating city fire started in ‘t Hoekhuis’s kitchen. The wooden house burned to the ground. Only the stone foundation remained. Judge A F Lammens then rebuilt ‘t Hoekhuis. He rotated the house to face the river.
The house flourished once more. It became home to the Barnett family who made a fortune in gold mining. ‘t Hoekhuis was one of the first houses in Paramaribo with a telephone. They had two lines one to Sociëteit Het Park and one to their warehouse. Later the Surinaamese Bauxiet Maatschappij now Suralco purchased it. The company’s director resided there. Famous guests even stayed including aviator Charles Lindbergh in 1929.
Today ‘t Hoekhuis stands as a reminder of resilience and history. It’s a beautiful example of Suriname’s architectural past. Its elegant facade with its central double doors and balcony speaks volumes. The house still stands tall. It is a symbol of endurance and a captivating piece of Paramaribo’s intriguing past. ‘t Hoekhuis awaits its next chapter.