Katrien Timmers started as a Tourism employee in 2002, but also did all kinds of operational and temporary projects. When, for the sake of the restoration of the castle, the entire collection had to be moved out and a curator was needed, she was given the role of curator.

Her unique role

"It was my great good fortune. I am very interested in history, art and antiques, enjoy doing research and writing. This job is right up my alley! I do a lot of knowledge research and give content to exhibitions. I am also responsible for the Conservation & Management of the collection. In that context, I also look for resources for object restoration and supervise the project. Because I am the designated person when it comes to knowledge of history of the castle, the family and the collection, I am also closely involved in new products for visitors and the Marketing & Programming Department."

"During the restoration of the castle between 2006 and 2011, we didn't hold any exhibitions. Then, in cooperation with the Marketing & Programming Department, I created an exhibition on wedding dresses of famous Dutch people. Then a very nice Silver exhibition."

Bon Voyage

On April 3, Kasteel de Haar opened the exhibition 'Bon Voyage! Greetings from The Golden Age of Travel'. A wonderful exhibition that would not have been possible without Katrien's meticulous research. 'Bon Voyage!" beautifully depicts how the baron and baroness traveled as true representatives of "the golden age of travel. How they traveled, aided by porters, with their countless cabin trunks, suitcases and travel accessories. "They took their lives from home with them when they traveled, chambermaid and valet went with them, they stayed in fancy Grand Hotels and ate 'French style' just like at home. They took advantage of all kinds of modern means of transportation that became available to them at that time: the train, the automobile, ocean liners, etc. They could only do this because they were well off in the slack. Travel was really not yet commonplace."

The exhibition shows how incredibly often the Van Zuylen family was away from home. They already traveled a lot between their own homes in Nice, Paris and Haarzuilens. But regularly all four of them, father, mother and sons Hélin and Egmont, stayed in another location somewhere in the world. "They would then send each other postcards and telegrams to discuss daily affairs and send each other greetings. Also special to see is how different was the thrill they wanted to feel as travelers. Nowadays, people go on vacation with as little luggage as possible and want as much of the authentic vacation experience as possible; living as they live elsewhere. Our baron and baroness did not; they lived abroad as they did at home. They dressed for a walk, for déjeuner, tea and dinner, just like at home. They also liked to go to colonized countries, there life was recognizably Western European."

Not an easy job

Putting together this exhibition was by no means an easy job for Katrien. "Our baron and baroness were a bit sloppy. They did leave photos, but they were haphazardly sitting in photo books without dates or places. Nor did they keep a travel diary or anything like that. So on the basis of all sorts of loose postcards, telegrams, correspondences, transport tickets, etc., I had to form a picture of their travel habits."

In addition to these postal items, on display is a collection of unusual objects they collected during their travels. But especially a wonderful collection of 19th- and 20th-century travel essentials from the collection of the Royal Antiquarian Society. "These are objects halfway between a picnic basket and a beauty case. Boxes and suitcases with all kinds of handy gadgets, tailored to the better-off traveler. Often made of beautiful materials. We even have one from Queen Regent Emma!"

Experience it for yourself!

Katrien adds, "Come to De Haar. Always an experience, but now with this exhibition, the travel concessions and the possibility of visiting other bedrooms, extra worthwhile. Idea: bring your picnic basket and flatter yourself in the grass!"

The exhibition "Bon Voyage! Greetings from The Golden Age of Travel' is on view through Sept. 29, 2019. Standard admission prices apply to this exhibition.
Photo: Marnix Schmidt