From the start in June 2006, the main object of Historical Gardens blog has been to serve as a “window to the world” for the results of my favourite field of research: 18th century garden history. I see it as a place where current affairs in historical gardens and the continuous progression of my research meet. The aim is to raise knowledge of the introduction of the landscape style of gardening in Holland in the course of the 18th century. Everything extra is… extra.
Gradually though, the ‘current affairs’ section has received more attention than expected, mainly because the blog format does not lend itself for longer overviews. In August 2007 I’ve expanded the blog with an additional source of information: HGwiki. Here the longer overviews and stories will be concentrated, while the current affairs feature in the blog.
Living in The Netherlands, my main focus will ofcourse be on Dutch garden history. But the advantage of living in a small country is that ‘abroad’ is never far away. Furthermore, gardening in the Netherlands in the 18th century became more and more influenced by developments in surrounding countries. So I will be venturing into international garden history as well, which is why I chose to write my posts and essays in English. All larger essays should be read as work in progress, unless stated otherwise.
I am both a trained gardener and an art historian and I think one could say I have found my niche. In May 2007 I’ve started as an advisor for the Foundation of Friends of Beeckestijn, to help them in their efforts to secure the future of this estate as a highly appreciated monument of Dutch garden history.
Henk van der Eijk
Rotterdam (updated February 2008)
