the building in 1930s.
the history of landhuis (dutch country house ) of reinier de klerk on molenvliet west began purchase of land in 1755 de klerk. de klerk appointed governor-general of dutch east indies in 1777. not pleased appointment, describing “serving mustard after meat has been eaten.” unlike of government officials during time, de klerk had reputation being incorruptible, more because had no necessity corruption married wealthy sophia francina westpalm in batavia. sophia daughter of michiel westpalm , of gertruida margaretha goossens. gertruida goossens known beauty, , married 3 times rich husbands predeceased her. sophia heiress accumulated fortune , de klerk had means develop country house on molenvliet west.
the original land purchased extended toward krukut river west, dike of molenvliet east, , kampung bali south. construction of house presumed start land had been purchased. de klerk employed many employees new estate of non-dutch , non-christians people, including slaves. @ time of de klerk s death, estate had 2 wings, wash-house, warehouse, slave quarters, kitchen corner, stables , carriage houses, , residence coachmen , guards, rear building many rooms. more hundred slaves worked , lived in mansion, sixteen among them formed band of musicians , entertained master , guests @ night. house inherited francois r. radermacher, sophia s son earlier marriage.
under last of sophia in 1785, more 50 slaves emancipated , given money start freedom. other slaves bought emancipation. rest of slaves, hundred, auctioned off wives , children on january 28, 1786, in front of de klerk s house. in same year, radermacher sold property member of council of indies, johannes siberg.
siberg became governor-general between 1801 , 1805, , stayed in house during french , english period (1808-1816). after siberg s death in 1817, house auctioned off widow, , bought lambert zegers veeckens in 1818.
veeckens wanted sold house off again. in 1819, estate of de klerk bought leendert miero. miero, born in 1755 in grodka near lemberg (now lviv), arrived in batavia in 1775 work dutch east india company. polish jew real name jehoede leip jegiel igel. hid true identity because dutch east india company prohibited jews travelling holdings, new headquarters in batavia. in 1777, igel received de klerk in mansion , served low-ranked security guard mansion. story goes on hot day jehoeve fell asleep while guarding entrance. when de klerk unexpectedly returned, given 50 strokes laziness. on same day, swore own estate 1 day. after finishing military service, jehoeve changed name leendert miero , worked goldsmith. despite being illiterate, able make fortune , bought estate of pondok gede. miero able reveal identity when voc agreed include jews in ranks in 1782. in end, bought house of de klerk. next 15 years, miero invited big crowds celebrate anniversary of lashing day, celebrated biblical humor. miero married 2 legal wives had no children. instead, adopted 4 natural children born him 4 different slaves.
following death of miero on may 10, 1834, house continued inhabited leendert s heirs until sold again in 1844 college of deacons @ dutch reformed church. converted orphanage until 1990 , suffered many alterations, such addition of greek-style chapel in front facade. in 1901, colonial government acquired building , made office of mining department. greek-style chapel demolished restore original facade of de klerk s mansion.
in 1925, major restoration took place. pleasure garden landscaped once more. building converted state archive (landsarchief). remained archive building following independence of indonesia.
in 1974, national archives of indonesia moved jalan ampera selatan in south jakarta because old building deemed not appropriate archives. after transfer completed in 1979, house no longer used national archives , began deteriorate. paint peeled off , many ornaments broken.
in 1995, jakarta-based dutch companies founded stichting cadeau indonesia (“indonesia foundation prize”) , collected money gift 50th anniversary of indonesian independence intention of restoring mansion. memorandum signed during visit of queen beatrix have reception in building. despite initial preparation, no realistic proposals made national archives of indonesia, in order prevent further damage, house restored starting 1997. restoration done highest standard, including restoration of damaged drainage system caused flooding around mansion. restoration complete on november 1, 1998.
in same year on may 13, during restoration process, nationwide riot broke out. bank building next door national archives building burned ground mobs, forcing employees seek shelter still-restored national archives building. when mobs followed them, 80 workmen still employed building s restoration chased them away.
Comments
Post a Comment