The eventful history of Huis de Voorst
If the walls of Huis de Voorst could talk, they would have a lot to tell. Extraordinary stories about a Count, a King-Stadholder, German soldiers, and a devastating fire & reconstruction.
The history of the estate - as far as we can tell - goes back to the 12th century. At that time, the original building had a tower and was surrounded by double moats and a drawbridge. The residents of the castle were held in high esteem in the region and controlled the entire area. The owner at the time, Evert ter Voorst, died in 1561. His son-in-law Derk van Keppel became the heir, and in 1685 his great-grandson Arnold Joost van Keppel took possession of the castle. By Arnold Joost van Keppel, who was a favourite of King Stadholder William III, the estate that was only a ruin became a worthy castle.
Arnold Joost van Keppel
The origins of the Voorst Estate start with the order to build by Arnold Joost van Keppel in the year 1695. Through a warm contact with King-Cityholder William III, Arnold Joost van Keppel acquired prestige and wealth, which made the construction of Huis de Voorst possible.
The house and gardens were designed by the architects Jacobus Roman and Daniël Marot, who were also the architects of Het Loo Palace. The estate consists of a rectangular corps-de-logis connected to the left and right wing of the castle by the curved colonnades.
Versailles of the Achterhoek
Huis de Voorst became an estate of grandeur. Travel reports of visitors described a particularly impressive interior & exterior. The magnificent palace soon became known as the "Versailles of the Achterhoek" and it became a "Lieu de Plaisance", where Arnold and the King welcomed many an important guest. After the Van Keppel period, many noble families bought, lived in and sold the estate.
Landlords & Rebuilding
After Huis de Voorst had been inhabited successively by the families Van Lijnden, Bentinck and Van Neukirchen called Nyvenheim, it was sold to Gerrit Hesselink. This merchant had the domed roof and the side wings demolished. The estate was sold in lots and part of the interior was also sold.
The side wings and the colonnades were rebuilt when the Völcker family became the owners of Huis de Voorst in 1875. The side wings and colonnades were rebuilt based on the original forms, and the estate was refurnished with antique furniture, goblins, silver and porcelain. Huis de Voorst regained some of its grandeur,
The Great Fire
At the beginning of the Second World War in 1940, Huis de Voorst was the temporary home of German soldiers. In 1943, the intention was for the Department of Colonies to move into Huis de Voorst. During a minor maintenance, the forbidden use of a paint burner caused a devastating fire and explosion. The beautiful carvings and the painted ceiling were lost forever.
Restoration & Ashford Group
Some ten years later, the restoration was started by the Friends of the Castles of Gelderland Foundation. It was fully restored in 1957 and in the years 2003 to 2005, and the interior was tastefully and attractively adapted to the splendour of the house.
The team has been organising events & weddings on Landgoed Huis de Voorst since 1999. In 2003 Ashford Party & Event Catering (Ashford Wedding & Event Designers) officially took over the exclusive operation of the estate.
Exciting history
Would you like to see history in moving pictures?
Then watch the YouTube video below, and dive into the past of Arnold Joost van Keppel & his estate.
Are you curious about more fun facts about the history of the estate?
Or would you like to see more of the location? Then take a look at our Instagram or Facebook page where you can find a large number of images of the location.
Do you have any questions or would you like to know more about the possibilities for your big day at Landgoed Huis de Voorst? Then please contact us for a personal talk & attractive tour via the contact form on our website. You can also reach us to make an appointment on working days between 09:00 and 17:00 hours via 0575-545454.
