We have just had the second Open Monumenten Dagen (OMD) day (Sunday, 13 September), which was from 10.00 until 17.00 and we are all very, very tired! I am glad that the OMD is only once a year, but it is well worth it for getting people interested in what the TRC is doing and why.

Yesterday we had 111 visitors and today 214 people came to see Boerhaavelaan 6 (B6), giving a total of 325 over the weekend. Again there were people who live on the street or nearby, who were simply curious about the building and the family who had lived there for over 100 years. Many people came for the architectural history of the building, while others came for the textiles and to see what the TRC is and is doing.

There were five TRC volunteers present and we all had a chance to talk with visitors, answer questions, and help with the shop, so plenty of opportunities to tell everyone about what we are doing and why. In addition we were able to talk with teachers from here in Leiden, people from Leiden Council, as well as others working with local commercial groups. In other words, a great opportunity for people to see the TRC in action and its potential as a local and international centre for textile and dress studies.

A special visitor at Boerhaave 6.We also welcomed people who used to work at the TRC when we were still housed along the Hogewoerd. They were amazed with the changes and the beautiful building (and garden!) where the TRC is now residing. And some of the visitors were taken with the abundant feline presence in the garden.

A number of visitors talked about the textiles and garments they have at home, and various potential collections may be offered to the TRC in due course. One is from a former Dutch textile factory and consists of samples of the textiles they produced. Another is a small collection of Dutch lace caps. We will see what happens.

The volunteers helping at the TRC and indeed other monuments in Leiden, were given a blue waistcoat to wear with the text: Open Monumenten Dagen Leiden. And with the permission of OMD Leiden, an example is now in the TRC Collection! It already has the number TRC 2026.2150 and will be online within a week. It has been registered as part of the Leiden Collection.

I wonder how many other Leiden collections have this aspect of Leiden’s history in their collection? Also how people will view it in 50 years time?

And yes, we had a brief word with the Leiden organisers: the plan is that we will join the Open Monumenten Dagen again next year 11 and 12 September, with the theme 'Hidden Heritage' and does the TRC not fit this theme beautifully, by helping to open up the world of textiles and dress to the world?

Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, 13 September 2026