Three students from the Alfa College from Groningen build an old -fashioned caravan for the Drents Museum together with a professional woodworker. The car will get a prominent role during the upcoming exhibition People of the Ventweg,, “ About caravan camp residents.
The exhibition is about Drenthe travelers, or caravan camp residents, from different times. From the Trek workers and the Sinti and Roma, to the travelers of today. For the exhibition, the museum has collaborated with various caravan camp residents from Coevorden, Hoogeveen and Emmen.
In a shed by woodworker Roelof de Vries from the Frisian Nijeholtwolde, the students work on their structure for weeks: an authentic 20th-century caravan. Quite a job, because there are no construction drawings.
“We do have an example of a hundred -year -old caravan,” says De Vries. “But for the rest we have to come up with everything ourselves. The chassis, the frames, the roof. Sometimes we have to change the type of wood twice, because it’s not the good. No, it’s not easy.”
Nevertheless, the retired woodworker finds the job of the museum a great challenge. Especially now that he receives three inquisitive students. “When you see how they started, with little knowledge, and what they have already made of it. That is really beautiful.”
One of them already has a special bond with the caravan. Naomi van Wanrooy (18) grew up on a caravan camp. Her family has a long history measuring caravans.
She is very proud that she can now build a car herself. “My great -grandfather once made his own caravan. My father and grandfather think it’s really cool what I am doing now. Not all caravan dwellers make their own car, so I think it’s great to do.”
In the meantime the caravan is already taking shape. The outside walls and frames are ready and the students work hard on the decorations. The chassis is also finished, although there still have to be wheels. “Secretly I think it’s a shame that I can’t keep it myself,” says Naomi with a grin on her face.
The caravan will be one of the eye -catchers of the new exhibition and will be located close to the entrance to the museum. “But he also goes on a journey. Between Assen, Hoogeveen and Emmen, as it should be with caravans,” says Jonathan van der Meulen, employee of the museum.
“At the end of 60s it is more or less forbidden to drive around with caravans. We want to return that around this way.”
Watch the video about building the caravan here: