estate Huize Bergen
history of Vught
Our history
From estate to social mission
It all began with Charlotte and Willem van Beuningen. What they started with passionate ideals grew into the organization we are today.
The legacy of the Van Beuningen family
The history of the Huize Bergen estate
The Van Beuningen family and their legacy
After her mother's death, daughter Charlotte Elisabeth van Beuningen (born 1880) and her husband Willem van Beuningen (born 1873) moved into the estate in 1927. The Huize Bergen estate was built in 1916, commissioned by the Fentener van Vlissingen–Roosenburg family. Architect Johan Wilhelm Hanrath designed the characteristic villa, surrounded by a beautifully landscaped sixteen-hectare park.
Charlotte and Willem were known for their social commitment to the municipality of Vught. In the 1930s, they financed the construction of workers' housing for the less fortunate in Vught, now part of the Charlotte Elisabeth van Beuningen Foundation. They also donated a large portion of the renovation costs for Vught's town hall. During World War II, Charlotte played a significant role in providing aid to prisoners at Camp Vught by organizing food parcels. After Willem's death in 1948, Charlotte decided to sell the estate, hoping it would serve a social purpose. On November 23, 1949, the estate was sold to the Diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch, which turned it into an educational center.
Huize Bergen estate as a training center
In 1950, the estate was sold to the Maria Annunciatie Lay Institute. The growing demand for education and courses led the institute to create a training facility, with permanent tenants such as the maternity training center and the life school. The estate was also used for youth camps organized by the Dutch Catholic Sports Federation. The institute's objectives were broad: in addition to educating young people, it offered space for meetings and courses in religious, charitable, social, and cultural areas. In the 1960s, a partnership was established with the Joannes Bosco Foundation, then owner of De Spreeuwel (now EIGENTIJDSERF) in Westelbeers. Companies were also increasingly finding their way to Huize Bergen for training courses and conferences.
Expansion and development
The growing popularity and versatility of the estate led to a growing need for additional facilities. In 1979, "De Oude Pauw" was sold to make way for three new conference rooms and 25 double rooms, called "De Goudfazant." In 1994, the meeting facility "De Pauw" was built, followed by the sleeping accommodation "De Nachtegaal" in 1995, and the sleeping accommodation "De Zwaluw" in 1999. In 2010, "De Goudfazant" was renamed "De Boomgaard." Further expansions followed in the years that followed, including the 2016 construction of the sustainable hotel "De Botanica," which combines modern sustainability and comfort. More recently, the rooms "De Pauw" and "De Patrijs," built in the 1990s, were restyling, making these spaces even more suitable for today's guests' needs. In 2024, 'De Boomgaard' was refreshed with a cheerful interior, and a year later, the monumental Koetshuis also shone in a completely new guise.
Who is Charlotte van Beuningen?
Charlotte Elisabeth van Beuningen (1880-1976), born in Amsterdam, was the daughter of Frederik Hendrik Fentener van Vlissingen and Line Roosenburg. In 1900, she married Willem van Beuningen, with whom she had two children.
She grew up in Amsterdam and Baarn and attended the Kramer Dames School. Together with her husband, Willem van Beuningen, she lived in the villa on the Huize Bergen estate in Vught.
Huize Bergen Estate, an inspiring place for connection and growth for generations
Where encounters and development come together
Over the years, the Huize Bergen estate has welcomed over a million visitors. The estate continues to be a place of connection, a place where people gather and leave enriched.
Who is Willem van Beuningen?
Willem van Beuningen (1873–1948) was a Dutch entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 1900, he married Charlotte Elisabeth Fentener van Vlissingen (1880–1976), daughter of Frederik Hendrik Fentener van Vlissingen and Line Roosenburg. They had two children together.
In 1927, Willem and Charlotte moved into the Huize Bergen estate in Vught, a villa that had been built in 1916 at the request of Charlotte's parents and designed by architect Johan Wilhelm Hanrath.
One hundred stories
The complete history of the Huize Bergen Estate can be read in the book "Huize Bergen 100 Stories." A digital version of the book is available. Please note: this book is an outdated version. The digital media mentioned in this book are no longer active.
Special open days
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Vught, we organized an open-air film evening and a special open day at our estate in Vught in collaboration with the Charlotte van Beuningen Housing Foundation. This collaboration stemmed from our appreciation for Charlotte van Beuningen and her social commitment, especially during the war years when she personally prepared food parcels and delivered them to Camp Vught.
