Meisjeshuis, Delft, Historical orphanage building on Oude Delft, Netherlands
Meisjeshuis is a former girls' orphanage on Oude Delft with a sandstone base and arched cellar windows. Two carved stone female figures flank the entrance and emphasize the building's original purpose.
The building was founded in 1390 through a donation by Willem Nagel and functioned as a girls' orphanage until the 1950s. Over time it evolved from a charitable institution into an important center for social care in the city.
The name panels inside show administrators who managed this institution across many centuries. These records reveal how the place was organized to care for orphaned girls.
The building was renovated in 2005 and now houses the Heritage House of South Holland and the Meisjeshuis Society. Visitors can explore the interior to see the historical name panels and learn about the institution's past.
The entrance features elaborate rococo decorations and carved doors with an ornamental top piece designed by sculptor S.J. Cressant. These ornaments reflect the wealth and social importance this institution held in the community.
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