The story started in 1837 when Willem ten Boom opened a small watch shop at the front of his family home in Barteljorisstraat in Haarlem. Ten Boom family was known to be devoted Christians, inspired to help their community and active in social work around town. Their corner property along the main shopping street was referred to as BéJé. BéJé was later passed down to Willem’s son Casper.
During the second world war, Ten Boom’s family house became a safe haven for the Jews hiding from the Nazis. Casper and his daughters, Betsie and Corrie, helped aid fugitives as part of the Dutch underground resistance movement. They risked their lives, providing a hiding place within Corrie’s bedroom. Eventually, the family was betrayed, caught and sent to the concentration camp. Only Corrie survived the Ravensbrück concentration camp and was released in December 1944. She was 53 years old.
The historic house is now a museum established on 15 April 1988. A living memorial to the Ten Boom family for their bravery and sacrifices made to help others in need. In Dutch: Corrie Ten Boomhuis
The former residence has been partly refurbished with old furniture, family photographs, memorabilia and other objects to reflect the living situation during that period. The watch shop at the front has become the museum gift shop. Ask the museum staff where the Ten Boom had set up the alarm system in which they held unannounced drills every day. Ring the alarm! All bedrooms on the upper floor have been converted into one exhibition gallery filled with antiques, artefacts, documents, books, photos, etc. Further up the flight of stairs is Corrie’s bedroom – the hiding place! A tight space behind a false brick wall that once accommodated two Jewish men, two Jewish women and two members of the Dutch underground, hiding in the dark for 47 hours!! They survived only with a little drinking water, a bucket as toilet and some dry crackers. Never found by the Gestapo.
However, the soldiers did find a stash of ‘extra’ ration cards and false identity cards hidden in a panel by the stairs. Enough evidence to arrest Betsy, Corrie and their elderly father.
According to the website, Ten Boom family and their many friends saved the lives of an estimated 800 Jews and other refugees.
Corrie Ten Boom House museum can only be visited following a guided tour. You need to make an online reservation in advance!
Visitors will get an idea about Corrie’s life, family members, stories and events that happened during that era. Be prepared to climb the narrow and steep stairs. Experience hiding in that secret ‘Hiding Place’ yourself!
The duration of this tour is 60 minutes and admittance is FREE of charge. However, your voluntary donation is greatly appreciated or purchase something when the tour ends at the gift shop.
It is a well-known gem as one of the FREE THINGS TO DO in Haarlem.
Website: https://www.corrietenboom.com/en/home
Address: Barteljorisstraat 19, 2011 RA Haarlem. It is located behind the watch shop along an alleyway. The entrance of the museum is in the Schoutensteeg, around the corner.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday (generally) from 10am – 4pm. Closed on Sundays & Mondays.
Getting There: 10 min walk from Haarlem train station or the nearest car park is Appelaar Parkeergarage at Damstraat 12. 2011 HA Haarlem.
Note:
Check the tour schedule under ONLINE RESERVATION calendar on the website. Tours are usually available in English or Dutch. Occasionally, German language tour is listed as well. Each tour is conducted in one specific language only. There will be no translations provided. To avoid delay, confusion and all that!
All visitors have to wait outside the museum door (regardless of the weather) and will only be invited in, on time to start the tour. If you are late, you will not be admitted to the museum.
The Corrie ten Boom Museum is not accessible to people with mobility impairments.
New rule! Apparently, it is now prohibited to take photos or to make any audio or video recordings during the tour. With the exception of the hiding place! The gallery and living room photos were previously taken from way back in 2017. Nothing major has changed obviously.
Virtual tour is available online at your convenience.
The Hiding Place was adapted as a major motion picture in 1975. I have never.
Last but not least, tour guides are volunteers. This means the content and quality of your tour do differ. I have done this tour three times. Once, I had an English-speaking guide who went on a little excessively about Christianity rather than the history and insight of this family. Nevertheless, I do recommend this tour because it is free, educational and inspirational!