Reg.Nr. HA-2015/NL/10

Stichting Vrienden van Huis Doorn | Association of Friends to Huis Doorn

The Association of Friends to Huis Doorn is already for more than 20 years a big support for our museum, the residence in exile of the last German emperor Wilhelm II. Without the help of the Friends of Huis Doorn the museum cannot function properly as a museum, opened to the ...
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Project details

Title:Stichting Vrienden van Huis Doorn | Association of Friends to Huis Doorn
Entr. year: 2015
Result:Award
Country: Netherlands
Town: Doorn
Category type: organisation
Built: 17th century
Architect / Proj.leader: Dedicated service by individuals or organisations
The Jury's citation: "This is a further worthy example of the importance, even necessity, of volunteer contribution today. The activity of the 'Friends of Huis Doorn' is a salutary example of volunteers supporting a public heritage institution through focused organisation of different task groups dedicated to the management of a historic house museum. The Jury was particularly struck by the commitment of some 180 volunteers when, threatened with closure due to withdrawal of state support, Huis Doorn was saved by their efforts, securing the accessibility to this popular site and the conservation of its fine collections. Furthermore, the Friends have created an admirable synergy between public and voluntary initiatives, encouraging active citizenship and social development. By offering hands on experience of the traditional skills essential in its work, the Friends give visitors, both local and from further afield, the opportunity to become engaged with this unusual heritage memorial."

Description:
The Association of Friends to Huis Doorn is already for more than 20 years a big support for our museum, the residence in exile of the last German emperor Wilhelm II. Without the help of the Friends of Huis Doorn the museum cannot function properly as a museum, opened to the public. The volunteers belonging to the Association of Friends provide very important service to the museum, varying from the restoration of volatile historic textiles, assisting with the housekeeping tasks of the curators, executing collection registration tasks, maintaining the rose garden and organizing guided tours through the museum. In 2012 the Dutch Ministry of Culture decided to cut back the subsidies for Museum Huis Doorn with 50%. Half of the staff members had to be fired due to these developments. The effects of this decision would have been devastating for Huis Doorn if The Association of Friends had not taken the responsibility to increase their support of the museum.