The first recording of the Oorsprong Estate in Oosterbeek was as early as the beginning of the 15th century. It belonged to the manor of Doorwerth and has had various functions over the centuries. It has been turned from an estate into a mill and then back into an estate with country home. Nowadays it is a beautiful garden that is open to the public.
Sugar
In the 16th century the Oorsprong Estate was divided into De Hoge Oorsprong, owned by the Renesse family, and De Lage Oorsprong, owned by Arnt ter Hoeven of Arnhem.In 1811, theestate was sold for 17,000 guilders to two business partners from South Holland, Johannes Spakler and H.J. Backer. They built a sugar mill on the site and applied themselves to the cultivation of sugar beet.
Country house
In 1813 the mill had to close because of disappointing results. Backer bought out his business partner and made a fresh start. In 1823, he had a stately home built on the grounds of the estate. Alongside his business career Backer also went into politics a few years later he became the Mayor of Renkum and remained in that office until 1851. Three years after the house had burnt down in December 1919, a magnificent new villa designed by the architects Jan and Theo Stuivinga was built.
Relics
Unfortunately, this new villa was also short-lived. On 18th September 1944, during the Battle of Arnhem, the stately home was caught in the line of fire, and completely destroyed. When work began on the new garden in 2004, the site was still full of ammunition. Nowadays the Oorsprong Estate is known as De Lage Oorsprong. It includes a wood, gardens, water features and a green amphitheatre, where all kinds of cultural activities take place. The garden is open to the public.
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