Enkhuizen, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Oude Weeshuis
⎯⎯⎯
Old Orphanage
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 7, 2026
1. Oude Weeshuis / Old Orphanage Marker
Oorspronkelijk onderdeel van een groter weeshuis- complex gesticht in 1551. Het complex maakte in 1906 plaats voor het huidige weeshuis. In hetzelfde jaar werd de renaissancegevel van de meisjesslaapzaal ongeveer tien meter achterwaarts herbouwd. Het smeedijzeren tuinhek stamt nog uit de 18de eeuw. Het bevat het monogram O.A.W. (Oude Arme Weeshuis).
(English translation:)
Old Orphanage
Originally part of a larger orphanage complex founded in 1551. The complex made way for the current orphanage in 1906. That same year, the Renaissance façade of the girls' dormitory was rebuilt approximately ten meters further back. The wrought-iron garden gate dates back to the 18th century. It bears the monogram O.A.W. (Old Poor Orphanage).
Erected by Gemeente Enkhuizen, ANWB. (Marker Number 17082/10.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1551.
Location. 52° 42.21′ N, 5° 17.286′ E. Marker is in Enkhuizen, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is on Westerstraat. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal
this page online
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: De Munt / The Mint (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Soephuisje / Soup House (about 150 meters away); Vermaning (Doopsgezinde kerk) / Vermaning (Mennonite Church) (about 180 meters away); Westerstraat 158 (about 210 meters away); Sint Janstraat 9 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); St. Pancras- of Zuidertoren / St. Pancras- or Southern Tower (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Synagoge / Synagogue (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Waaggebouw / Weighing House (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Enkhuizen.
Also see . . . De Weeshuizen (Bezoek Enkhuizen). Excerpt:
In the Westerstraat, the small old orphanage and the large new orphanage stand right next to each other.(Submitted on September 18, 2026.)
Theannex looks old, but the facade is a copy. Materials from the old facade, which formerly stood directly on Westerstraat, were used. The building, erected in 1906, still contains gold leather wallpaper from 1742, Louis XV-style mantelpieces crafted by Pieter de Nicolo in 1738, and copper crowns and portraits of men and women from the 16th and 17th centuries. All of this comes from the former orphanage.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 7, 20262. Oude Weeshuis / Old Orphanage and markerThe marker is visible here just to the left of the gate.
The old facade had great artistic value: it was made of brick and natural stone and featured a richly decorated portico. The gable top displayed elegant claw-shaped brackets and ornaments. A gable stone indicated the year 1616, beneath which was a relief depicting a typical orphanage where the orphanage director is teaching.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 7, 2026
3. Oude Weeshuis / Old Orphanage
Photographed by J. de Graaf, N.V. (courtesy Noord-Hollands Archief, Inventaris 13530), circa 1930
4. Weeshuis / Orphanage
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 18, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
