Hofje van Willem Heythuijsen

It was founded in 1650 by the testament of Willem van Heythuysen (sometimes spelled Heijthuijsen) on the site of his summer residence outside the city walls of Haarlem on land that was considered Heemstede property until it was annexed in 1927.

In 1636 Willem van Heythuijsen had his will and testament drawn up with the plans for this hofje in the event that he and his sister would die without issue.

After his sister Geertruyd van Heyhuysen died, his double house on the Oude gracht were sold, as was his summer home on the Spaarne.

Thanks to her legacy, the hofje underwent repairs and a painting was made to honor her that is now in the possession of the Frans Hals Museum.

The proceeds of the van Heythuijsen estate were used to convert the orchard and the gardener's houses of Middelhout into a hofje with room for twelve pensioners, and enough money was left over to make donations to the Oudemannenhuis (currently the location of the Frans Hals Museum), the Diaconie (currently the location of the Police station), and to the city of Weert for founding a hofje there as well.

Hofje front door on the East side of the Haarlemmerhout park, showing the narrow passage to the garden on the South side of the T-shaped complex. Above the door, the plaque reads; "'t Hofken van Wilhelm van Heythuysen, 1651". On the left, the taller tower-like building is the oldest structure standing.
Hofje garden on the South side of the T-shaped complex. In the back, the taller tower-like building can be seen.