Pand van de Weduwen Stichting van de Diaconie der Nederduitsche Hervormde Gemeente in de Eerste Hugo de Grootstraat in Amsterdam 1882 - 1915

Albert Greiner captured this image of the Widows’ Foundation of the Diaconie of the Dutch Reformed Church in Amsterdam. This photograph provides a glimpse into the social welfare systems of the late 19th century. This institution, established by the church, offered housing to widows, reflecting both the charitable role of religious organizations and the precarious position of women without husbands in that era. The architecture itself, while seemingly functional, subtly communicates the values of the community: order, charity, and perhaps, a degree of control. Consider the lives of the women who resided here. What were their stories? How did this communal living shape their identities and support networks in a society that often marginalized them? This image encourages us to think about the intersections of gender, class, and religion, and the ways in which social structures both aid and confine individuals.