On Wednesday, November 26, the Act of Redemption Table was ceremoniously unveiled in the provincial house. The table refers to the Act of Redemption from 1576, which established that the Haagse Bos, along with the Koekamp and the Malieveld, must ‘never and under no circumstances’ be cut down. Thanks to the persistence of the residents of The Hague, this valuable city forest has been protected and accessible to all residents for centuries. Deputy Meindert Stolk and Janelle Moerman, director of Museum Prinsenhof Delft, jointly performed the unveiling.
Meindert Stolk, Deputy for Culture and Heritage: “The Haagse Bos is not just a green heart of our city. It has been protected thanks to the determination of residents, almost 450 years ago. This table shows how historical awareness and modern innovation can reinforce each other. I am proud that with this project we connect heritage, design, and sustainability and make it visible for future generations.”
Connection between history and future
The Act of Redemption Table makes this special history tangible and current. The design shows part of the original act, which at the time led to one of the earliest forms of nature conservation in the Netherlands. At the same time, the table tells a contemporary story: a story of sustainable materials, innovative design, and circular production.
A piece of sustainable craftsmanship
The table is made of lightweight Greengridz panels, which are up to 60% lighter than traditional boards and finished with Hague oak. The supporting structure is 3D printed from residual flows of Dutch hemp. Through round viewing windows in the tabletop, even soil from the Malieveld can be seen. The text of the Act of Redemption is laser-engraved in the tabletop.
Museum Prinsenhof Delft has provided a portrait of William of Orange, giving the project a national dimension. This will be printed on an information panel after the unveiling to illustrate the story.
Janelle Moerman, director of Museum Prinsenhof Delft: “A beautiful initiative by the Province of South Holland to bring this story from our history to the present with this table. A special fact is that the Act of Redemption was probably signed on April 16, 1576, in the Prinsenhof by William of Orange on behalf of the States of Holland.”
Broadly supported collaboration
The project was realized by:
- Facility Services and the Culture and Heritage task of the Province of South Holland (client)
- Gispen (concept & design)
- TRIBOO (production and sustainable material choice)
- With cooperation from Museum Prinsenhof Delft (Image: Michiel Jansz. Van Mierevelt, Portrait of William of Orange (1533-1584), oil on panel, Collection Museum Prinsenhof Delft, photo Tom Haartsen
With this unveiling, the Act of Redemption gains not only a place in the history books but also a physical place in the provincial house as a symbol of protection, involvement, and future-oriented thinking.
