On Thursday, October 17, the renovation plans of the Remembrance Centre Kamp Westerbork were presented. Director Bertien Minco of the Remembrance Centre handed over the plans to Mayor Jan Zwiers of the Gemeente Midden-Drenthe and Deputy Jisse Otter of the Provincie Drenthe in the barrack on the campgrounds.
A new plan aims to revitalise Kamp Westerbork, a historic World War II deportation site in the Netherlands, transforming how visitors engage with its history while preserving its memory. Developed by the Remembrance Centre in partnership with Mecanoo, Kossmanndejong, and RYSE, the project seeks to create a more immersive experience. Instead of traditional exhibitions, the answer lies in combining landscape, and architecture, with deeply human stories.
Kamp Westerbork has a painful history as the site from which over 107,000 Jews, Sinti, and Roma were deported during World War II. With fewer survivors able to share their experiences, there is a growing need to keep this history alive. The renewal plan includes ten thematic areas, each designed to highlight different aspects of the camp’s story. Visitors will hear audio recordings of victims, perpetrators, and witnesses, creating a deeper connection with the events that unfolded at the camp.
The existing commandant's house, a symbol of the power dynamics that shaped the camp’s history, will be transformed into a secondary entrance to the grounds, offering visitors a perspective from the vantage point of those who enforced its brutal operations. An important part of the renovation is the inclusion of lesser-known history, such as the period after the war when Moluccan KNIL soldiers and their families lived at the site, then called Woonoord Schattenberg. By incorporating this chapter into the narrative, the project aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the site’s history, reflecting the complex and diverse stories of those connected to Kamp Westerbork.
The renewal plans also include a new memorial listing the names of deportees, placed along the former railway line connecting the new museum to the campsite. The museum will provide a space for reflection and learning with exhibition spaces, and educational rooms, all seamlessly integrated. With this renewal, Kamp Westerbork aims to remain relevant in the modern era, ensuring that its stories continue to resonate with future generations. The project seeks to keep the memory of Kamp Westerbork alive, ensuring that its stories continue to resonate with future generations.