Gemeenlandshuis

Early flood control in the Netherlands is often called the Teerschouw, which loosely translated means "consumption during observation".

The Water Boards became governing bodies much like a town hall became a meeting place for the city council.

In most Dutch cities, especially those on a river or located at a seaside port, the Gemeenlandshuis was the same size as the Town Hall.

Later occupants were Philips, Count of Hohenlohe who was married to Maria of Nassau, a daughter of Willem of Orange.

For this reason many meeting halls were unusually large that were located in very small towns, such as the Gemeenlandshuis Zwanenburg in Halfweg, or the Waterschapshuis in Onderdendam.