The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Veenhuizen

Nitrogen, climate change and drought are putting nature under pressure in the Fochteloërveen. A lot of peat was extracted and drained in the region. This caused the peat to subside, and the Fochteloërveen is now higher than the surrounding area. The factors described above cause rainwater, which normally collects in raised bogs, to drain away quickly. To retain water, dams made of peat, film, and wood have already been built in the past. These dams have led to a significant increase in peat moss and even to the creation of smaller areas with living raised bogs. Unfortunately, the dams are less sustainable than hoped and show leaks in many places, putting the recovering raised bogs under pressure again. Therefore, the dams are now being replaced by more sustainable sand dams. The new embankments consist of sand and clay. The sand comes from a nearby sand quarry and is pumped electrically via an underground pipeline to the storage site. The clay makes the new embankments watertight. The work is carried out in phases (see the different colours on the map). Where possible, old embankments are demolished and replaced by new ones made of sand and clay. The aim is to integrate the new embankments harmoniously into the landscape. They are covered with heather, which causes them to grow over faster. An ecologist monitors the work to protect plants and animals as much as possible. The contractor also only works outside the breeding season. Source: Texts on the signs

Between 1796 and 1813, the French ruled the Netherlands. It was a poor time: especially in the cities, many people lost their jobs and homes and had to beg or steal to survive. Johannes van den Bosch sought a solution and founded the experimental colony Frederiksoord in Drenthe in 1818. Poor city dwellers were given a small farm and a piece of land to grow their own food. This way, they no longer had to beg. His plan was called the **Society of Benevolence**, but financial problems arose as early as 1823: helping the poor proved too expensive. Therefore, a new plan was devised: in Veenhuizen, three large institutions were built for orphans from the cities. The buildings were square, with a courtyard, and each could accommodate about a thousand people. Before the first residents arrived, much had to be done: there were no roads, so canals were dug for transport. Shops were also lacking, forcing residents to make their own food, clothing, and furniture. They reclaimed the peatland, cultivated the land, and built farms, a small shop, and workshops such as a smithy, sawmill, and clog-making workshop. However, too few orphans arrived to fill all the institutions. Two institutions were filled with orphans, the third with beggars and vagrants. Families lived in small houses around the buildings. The orphans slept eighty at a time in dormitories, supervised by one dorm mother or father for two dormitories. During the day, they also ate and worked there. At night, they slept in hammocks suspended from the ceiling. They received two hours of lessons daily in reading, writing, and arithmetic — unusual for the time — but also had to work hard in the fields or kitchen. Life was hard. After the age of twenty, they could leave the colony if they found work. Ultimately, the institutions proved too expensive again. The Society of Benevolence found itself in financial trouble once more. In 1859, the government took over the institutions in Veenhuizen. See also: https://historiek.net/weeskinderen-kinderkolonie-veenhuizen/64393/ and: https://gevangenismuseum.nl/groepen/kinderkolonie-veenhuizen/

The power station was built in 1909, but after about twenty years it was only used as an emergency power station. At the beginning of this century, everything was restored and it is possible to attend a demonstration here. In the past, no less than 200 kilos of peat were burned here every hour to generate energy. The building was designed by architect W.C. Metzelaar, who designed more buildings in this village. The power station is a national monument and nowadays belongs to the Prison Museum. A club of enthusiastic volunteers will gladly tell you much more about this gem! See also: https://gevangenismuseum.nl/groepen/rondleiding-door-de-electriciteitscentrale/

The National Prison Museum has been located at its current site in Veenhuizen since 2005; the only remaining non-free institution of the Society of Benevolence, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021. The 1823 building is one of the few tangible reminders from the era of the Colonies of Benevolence in the village. In addition to permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Prison Museum offers engaging activities for young and old. From a visit to a notorious disciplinary prison, a ride through the village with the old Boevenbus (crooks' bus), to in-depth events and activities. See also: https://gevangenismuseum.nl/

The building was erected as a barracks for the Royal Marechaussee in 1886, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. The design is by W.C. Metzelaar. Above the entrance door is a keystone with Metzelaar's initials and the years 1886 and 1902. The latter year presumably indicates internal modifications to the building as a barracks for infectious diseases. Some later renovations concern the interior and changes to the north side facade and the extension on the west rear facade. These interventions fall outside the protection.

PRISON ESSERHEEM

The electric conveyor belt and chutes on the Bonghaar were used as a central location in the Fochteloërveen to enable quay restoration

This picnic table also features a beautiful wooden sculpture of a crane.