Mystery solved! This is why this house is called ‘t Mussehuis

Office workers, local residents and students pass by it every day on a bicycle or scooter: this house at number 122 on the Rokkeveenseweg Zuid. You may have noticed the sign on the facade: ‘t Mussehuis. Why is that sign there?

You may sometimes notice the birdsong on the Rokkeveenseweg. Could they all be sparrows?

Made a house of two houses

The double house on the Rokkeveenseweg Zuid is a worker’s house from 1872. In addition, there has always been a farm. The people who worked there lived in these workers’ houses. Back then it was still two houses next to each other, nowadays there is one owner who has made one house from both houses. The Bontenbal family has owned this cozy home for over 60 years. In May 2019 we spoke to Mrs. Bontenbal.

Chicken feed

During our visit in 2019, we asked why that sign with ‘t Mussehuis is hanging on the white facade. The owner explained: “Rokkeveenseweg used to exist. When we came to live here, we only looked out at meadows with large trees. There were a lot of birds in there back then. Sparrows have always been here. Even now that there are less and less sparrows to be found in the cities, they are still abundant with us.

And I know why that is,” said Mrs. Bontenbal with a laugh. “We just spoil them too much. Every morning and at the end of the afternoon the chickens are fed in my backyard. We also give that chicken feed to the birds. The sparrows know this and therefore linger in this place. And I agree with them.”

Sign

Because of the many sparrows, the family liked to hear the chirping sparrows on the sign on the facade. Then cycle or walk towards the Rokkeveenseweg Zuid and you will certainly encounter them.

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