The Colonies of Benevolence were founded in 1818 by General Johannes van de Bosch. He wanted to do something about poverty in the Netherlands. Van de Bosch thought that he could give families in Drenthe a better future. He built hundreds of small farms with some land. All in straight lines in the landscape. Thousands of orphans ended up in the Children’s Colony in Veenhuizen.
The cultural landscapes of the Colonies in Frederiksoord, Wilhelminaoord, Veenhuizen and the Belgian Wortel were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. This is a United Nations organization that protects global heritage. The UNESCO World Heritage includes the most special buildings, areas and nature in the world.
