Stichting Kastelen, historische Buitenplaatsen & Landgoederen (sKBL), together with the boards & managements of museum-used Dutch castles & historic country estates, makes an urgent appeal to Minister Van Engelshoven (OCW) for help and support. This group of approximately 75 houses are now in danger of falling between the cracks in the available emergency measures. Most of these foundations & organizations are highly dependent on public income and are threatened in their survival. Given their great social and socio-regional values, they deserve every support.
Read the letter sent to the minister here .

Social, organizational and financial impact

KBL enjoy high esteem among a large public. Therefore, all the houses now regret, that they cannot perform their social and educational services. Moreover, they greatly miss the efforts of their volunteers. In our country, more than 10,000 people volunteer at a castle or historic country house. Without income and volunteer efforts, many museum-used castles & historic country estates are threatened in their existence. With the loss of entrance fees and the cancellation of almost all events, income is lacking, but expenses for conservation and personnel continue unabated. The 1.5 meter rule is difficult or impossible to achieve in these houses with their often small rooms, narrow staircases and entrances. So what does their future look like?

Cultural entrepreneurship

The sector has traditionally been creative and entrepreneurial, and that is coming in handy for the houses right now. Many houses offer digital public presentations of special collections and/or bring stories to life. These channels are also helpful in maintaining contact with essential groups of volunteers. Furthermore, the houses are working hard on protocols for reopening.

Request for support

In addition to the emergency and support package already available, an urgent request is made for measures that support museum-used castles & historic country houses with their parks and historic gardens in their continued existence. One desire is to relax the Subsidy for Conservation of Monuments (SIM) from 60% to 80%. Help is also desired in applying the 1.5 meter measure for reopening, such as non-contact solutions (ticket sales, audio tours) and additional safety and hygiene measures. sKBL calls on municipalities and provinces to show leniency in rental transfers and seeks the support of private funds. The letter in which sKBL appeals to the Minister of OCW has been co-signed by the Geldersch Landschap & Kastelen, Kasteel De Haar, Kasteel Twickel, Kasteel Duivenvoorde, Huygens'Hofwijck, Middachten, the Fraeylemaborg and numerous other publicly accessible houses throughout the country.