HASSELT, THE NETHERLANDS - The Vanneau Foundation are the new owners of the birthplace of Kiliaen van Rensselaer in Hasselt, The Netherlands. The plan is to turn the building into a museum and create a permanent exhibition about Van Rensselaer, focusing on his youth in Hasselt, how he made his fortune in Amsterdam, and the development of his colony near New Amsterdam (which became New York). Part of the exhibition will be dedicated to the consequences of colonialism for native people and africans.

Several weeks ago, the historic building at Hoogstraat 12 was purchased by The Vanneau Foundation, an organization that sponsors historic projects. According to Dario Usai, the foundation's chairman, the previous owners are delighted that the building will become a museum. There is plenty of opportunity, Usai believes, especially as Van Rensselaer is well-known in the United States. "Tourists regularly admire the building from the outside.  Soon they will also be able to enjoy the building from the inside too."

Following his childhood in Hasselt, Kiliaen van Rensselaer (1556-1643) became a wealthy man in the Amsterdam of the Golden Age – thanks to his excellent network in the jewelry trade. He was a major shareholder and board member of the West India Company, mainly acting as a colonizer. With land acquired in New Netherland, he developed Rensselaerswijck, which grew into a successful settlement after surviving trying times. A portion of the exhibition will also be dedicated to the other side of this success – taking a closer look at the use of slaves, and how the settlement affected indigenous inhabitants.

The Vanneau Foundation will use part of the building for an exhibition on Peregrinus van Barmentlo, one of the Netherlands' first book printers in 1481. There is plenty to inspire this exhibition, including the fact that the printer was also housed at Hoogstraat 12, the very location of Van Rensselaer's birthplace.

Currently, plans are in place to open the Rensselaer birthplace to the public in 2024.