‘t Schippershuus has been the heart of Hoogeveen since 1633. All kinds of things passed by the building. Now there is a mural that tells about the distant past.
The idea for the artwork was conceived two years ago by the owner of ‘t Schippershuus. To bring the rich history of the building to life, designers Norbert Sulman and Andy Benjamins were flown in.
“We took five historical photos and edited them as if it were one large photo,” says Benjamins. The wall shows the canals, quays, the center and of course ‘t Schippershuus. It took the makers about sixty hours.
In old times, when Hoogeveen was still rich in waterways in the center. They came together at ‘t Schippershuus, where the Hoofdstraat, Schutstraat and Het Haagje now meet. That point was also called The Cross.
“If you look from above, you will also see a cross there. That is where the name comes from,” explains regional historian Albert Metselaar. “The entire history of Hoogeveen revolves around this place. It was the economic center because of the shipping industry.”
Metselaar also thinks the wall is an ode to deceased skippers at that time. According to him, there are about seven hundred that he can discover in old pieces. “It’s not a bad thing to be aware of what sacrifices the economy requires.”
According to the makers, the past has almost become reality with the wall. “The colors, the details and the sharpness of the photo. It is as if you are standing among the skippers. It really comes to life,” says designer Benjamins.
But can’t what was once so simply come back again? That seems great to Metselaar. “I think the water can easily reach the existing asphalt roads. It doesn’t have to be difficult.”
