Huize het Oosten

Huize het Oosten is a residential and care centre for seniors located in a landscaped park in Bilthoven, in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It was founded in 1955 by freemasons, who were initially also its only residents. Over time the house opened its doors to anyone who recognises themselves in the culture and atmosphere that characterise it, while its freemasonry background continues to shape its values of mutual respect, preservation of autonomy and equality. Its motto is 'Wij kennen onze bewoners en elkaar' ('We know our residents and each other'). The centre provides a home to more than 300 active seniors. Residents can live entirely independently in rental or owner-occupied apartments, take part as they wish in the rich cultural life of the community, and make use of its facilities. To stay vital, residents are asked to look after and help one another. A limited number of apartments are available for couples where one partner has a care indication, reflecting the conviction that couples should if possible not be separated in the final phase of life. Where care is needed over time, Huize het Oosten also offers guidance, personal care and nursing. The initiative for the house came in 1950 from the Amersfoort freemasons' lodge Jacob van Campen, which proposed creating one or more homes for older freemasons together with their wives and the widows of freemasons. The proposal was supported by the Order of Freemasons under the Grand Orient of the Netherlands and by a national survey. In 1951 the Stichting Huize Het Oosten (Huize Het Oosten Foundation) was established, and in 1952 the 'Bremhorst' estate in Bilthoven was purchased for the realisation of the plans. Financing was arranged through the issue of bonds carrying residential rights and an ordinary bond loan, with the aim of making the home financially independent of the Order of Freemasons. In 1954 the grand master of the Order of Freemasons, ir. C.M.R. Davidson, laid the cornerstone of the new building, and in 1955 the first residents were able to move into their flats, followed by the official opening. A first expansion took place in 1964-1965, and a renovation followed in 1975 in response to changing views on care for the elderly. The building contains a masonic temple used by a large number of different obediences, and Huize het Oosten is also the seat of the lodge 'De Ster in het Oosten' and of the lodge 'De Drie Grote Lichten'. In 1975 the house was split into a service-flat department and a care department, and its formerly closed character changed so that anyone who feels at home in its atmosphere and culture is now welcome to settle there. Various funds have been established for Huize het Oosten, including the Jacob Meijers Fonds, the Dubbeltjesfonds voor Huize Het Oosten, the Van Tongerenfonds voor Huize Het Oosten and De Drie Lichten, with their management entrusted to the Van Marenfonds.

The initiative for Huize het Oosten came in 1950 from the Amersfoort freemasons' lodge Jacob van Campen, which proposed establishing one or more homes for older freemasons together with their wives and the widows of freemasons. The proposal was supported by the Order of Freemasons under the Grand Orient of the Netherlands and by a national survey. In 1951 the Stichting Huize Het Oosten was founded, and in 1952 the 'Bremhorst' estate in Bilthoven was purchased to realise the plans. Financing was arranged through the issue of bonds with residential rights and an ordinary bond loan, with the aim of making the home financially independent of the Order of Freemasons. In 1954 the grand master of the Order of Freemasons, ir. C.M.R. Davidson, laid the cornerstone for the new building. In 1955 the first residents were able to move into their flats, after which the official opening took place. A first expansion followed in 1964-1965, and in 1975 a renovation was carried out because of changed views on care for the elderly. The building contains a masonic temple that is used by a large number of different obediences, and Huize het Oosten is also the seat of the lodge 'De Ster in het Oosten' and of the lodge 'De Drie Grote Lichten'. In 1975 Huize Het Oosten was split into a service-flat department and a care department. Its formerly closed character changed, so that anyone who recognises themselves in the atmosphere and culture of the house is now welcome to settle there. Various funds were established for Huize het Oosten, including the Jacob Meijers Fonds, the Dubbeltjesfonds voor Huize Het Oosten, the Van Tongerenfonds voor Huize Het Oosten and De Drie Lichten; their management was entrusted to the Van Marenfonds. Today Huize het Oosten is a residential and care centre for seniors in Bilthoven with a masonic foundation. Opened in 1955 by and for freemasons and their surviving dependants, it is now open to a broader public that can identify with the values of freemasonry. It provides a home to more than 300 active seniors in a green, well-appointed environment, offering independent rental and owner-occupied apartments, cultural and educational activities, services, and, where needed, guidance, personal care and nursing.

• 1975

  Renovation due to changed views on elderly care; Huize Het Oosten is split into a service-flat department and a care department, and its formerly closed character changes.

• 1964

  First expansion of the building (1964-1965).

• 1955

  First residents move into their flats, followed by the official opening.

• 1954

  Grand master ir. C.M.R. Davidson lays the cornerstone for the new building.

• 1952

  The 'Bremhorst' estate in Bilthoven is purchased for the realisation of the plans.

• 1951

  Stichting Huize Het Oosten is founded.

• 1950

  Amersfoort freemasons' lodge Jacob van Campen takes the initiative to create homes for older freemasons, their wives and widows.

A unique senior living community with a freemasonry-rooted culture, offering independent living with optional care in a green park setting.

• Independent rental apartments

• Owner-occupied apartments

• Service flats

• Residential care and nursing

• Personal care and guidance

• Cultural and educational activities

1. 1Home - Huize het Oostenhuizehetoosten.nl
2. 2Huize het Oosten - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Huize het Oosten - Wikipedia (NL)nl.wikipedia.org