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Vision
The story of lordly rights and muddy clay
Our vision for the development of Verhildersum Estate is the following:
Verhildersum Estate, with at its centre the only remaining Borg in municipality De Marne, is an important link between the region’s present and past. The Estate tells the story of the aristocracy in relation to the peasantry, the story of blossoming and wilting, of sowing and reaping, of high and low tides.
Verhildersum Estate illustrates these stories with events, objects, characters and anecdotes from the 19th century. History is brought to life from three perspectives. The Borg and its owner squire Edzard Tjarda van Starckenborg Stachouwer (strong house, strong name, strong in the sense of powerful because of his money and possessions) and his family are the main characters in the aristocracy’s story. The Workers Cottage and its inhabitants the De Vries family (strong bodies, strong ties to the land) tell the story of the poor day labourers. Farm Welgelegen and ‘Bocumer’ farmer Cornelis Borgman (strong entrepreneur, strong will, outspoken ideas, forceful) and his family make agricultural development (including all innovations) visible and tangible. In spite of their huge differences in life and life styles these people have one thing in common: they are deeply rooted in, originated from and blossomed in the Groningen Hogeland. At the end of the day they all came from the same ‘wierde’ (mound) and from there waged similar battles against the elements.
In the wake of this threesome and their families our visitors are introduced to the habits, customs, dress and leisure pursuits of those days, as well as the (historical) developments and regional and provincial movements of the time. In other words: Verhildersum Estate shows these three life stories in conjunction and thus exposes the organic connection between the Estate and its surroundings. Moreover we show our visitors that resourcefulness, dynamism, individuality, artistry and wealth are still the hallmarks of the Hogeland. The vigorous and captivating days of the 19th century may be long ago, today the region buzzes, blossoms and develops in much the same way as it did back then. Thanks to the originality and initiative of its old and new inhabitants. Thanks to a combination of autonomy and cooperation. Thanks to artists, entrepreneurs, hard workers and lateral thinkers. And especially thanks to the previous generations who laid the foundation.
At Verhildersum Estate you will not only discover how interesting, rich and tasteful country life was, but also how interesting, rich and tasteful country life is today. Verhildersum Estate, De Marne municipality’s jewel in the crown, tells the story of a promising and innovative region which can offer countless appetizers, main courses and desserts. And once you’ve had a taste, you’ll definitely be wanting more!
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