Koninginnebuurt in Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Boekhandel W.F. van Halst
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Bookseller W.F. van Halst Memorial
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 6, 2026
1. Boekhandel W.F. van Halst / Bookseller W.F. van Halst Memorial Marker
Hier was gevestigd van 1932 tot 1972 Boekhandel W.F. van Halst alwaar de familie gedurende de oorlogsjaren 1940-1945 het verzet ondersteunde en schuilplaats bood aan hendie door de bezetter vervolgd werden.
From 1932 to 1972, the W.F. van Halst bookshop was located here; during the war years of 1940–1945, the family supported the resistance and provided shelter to those persecuted by the occupying forces.
Erected 2011.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 52° 22.467′ N, 4° 37.792′ E. Memorial is in Haarlem, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Koninginnebuurt. It is at the intersection of Houtplein and Wagenweg, on the right when traveling south on Houtplein. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: Houtplein 32B, Haarlem, Noord-Holland 2012 DH, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Peter Langendijk (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Nieuwe Kerk (Ned. Herv.) / “New Church” (Dutch Reformed) (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); De Reus Cajanus in Haarlem / Cajanus the Giant in Haarlem (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Proveniershuis / Home for Pensioners (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Hofje van Guurtje de Waal / Guurtje de Waal Almshouse (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Brouwershofje / Brewers Almshouse (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Bruiningshofje / Bruinings Almshouse (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Wijnbergshofje / Mennonite Almshouse (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Haarlem.
Also see . . . Haarlem, Elk Sein Eigen Boekerij (Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei, in Dutch). Excerpt (in translation):
The commemorative plaque at Houtplein 32 in Haarlem recalls the wartime history that unfolded within the building—such as the sheltering of various individuals and the illegal printing of food ration(Submitted on October 3, 2026.)coupons by Mr. and Mrs. Van Halst.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 6, 20262. Boekhandel W.F. van Halst / Bookseller W.F. van Halst Memorial - wide view
Some Haarlem residents refer to the once-stately building at Houtplein 32—where the restaurant De Bickerij pampered its patrons for the past two decades—as the "Haarlem Anne Frank House." While there was no teenage girl hiding there to record events in a diary, there are certainly striking similarities. There must have been a constant coming and going of people in hiding. They were primarily located in the attic at the top of the house, but also downstairs beneath the shop window of the bookstore that occupied the premises at the time. Furthermore, in a secret printing setup in the cellar—located on the left, beneath the small raised room that existed back then—counterfeit ration cards were printed; these were essential for obtaining food for those in hiding.
From 1932 until 1972, the Van Halst bookstore was housed in this distinctive townhouse—characterized by its maid's rooms with small pivot windows just below the attic, its rhythmic façade, and the beautiful yet understated foliate ornamentation along the cornice. The bookstore, originally established in 1925 by Willem Frederik van Halstin his mother's home on Oranjestraat, focused primarily on textbooks but also operated a lending library on the right side of the Houtplein premises. Lodewijk van Deijssel mentions this Van Halst lending library in his diaries. …Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 6, 20263. Boekhandel W.F. van Halst / Bookseller W.F. van Halst Memorial - wider view
Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
