Handboogdoelen
unknown (Dutch)
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Alternate file
Alternative Titles
Longbow Archers Militia Headquarters
Hotel de Garnalen Doelen
Date
1509-1733Description
Detail, arms of Amsterdam with five small arms beneath (including Frans Banning Cocq, known from The Night Watch); The Handboogdoelen (ca. 1509) is the former home of the Longbow Archers Militia (also called Garnalen doelen). By the mid-17th century, the actual defense function ceased, and membership in the militia was primarily a position of honor reserved for the richest and most powerful citizens of Amsterdam, who gathered to eat, drink and smoke at the house. The directors (including Frans Banning Cocq, known from The Night Watch) were repeatedly immortalized in militia paintings. The current building at 421 Singel was rebuilt in 1733 with a new facade. In the 19th century the building served as a hotel. In 1881 the Amsterdam University Library (Universiteitsbibliotheek Amsterdam) moved their collection into the building. During restoration works in 1968, much of the original 16th-century building reappeared and it turned out that the Library probably contains some of the oldest masonry in town and the only fireplace with a late medieval mantelpiece. The Library has now expanded into the 1609 building next door at 423 Singel and also next to that at 425 Singel, into a modern building built in the 1960s. [Dutch Wikipedia] Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 4/30/2015)
Type of Work
library (building); hotel (public accommodation)Subject
military or war, Restoration and conservation, libraries, militias, private societies, Eighteenth century
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only