Hoeve 'Weltevreden" in De Cocksdorp op Texel c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this albumen print of Hoeve "Weltevreden" in De Cocksdorp on Texel. This image reflects the social and economic realities of rural life in the Netherlands during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The architecture of the farmhouse, with its practical design, speaks to the importance of agriculture and the close relationship between the family and the land. We can see the family in front of their house; their clothing and demeanor give clues about social class. The photograph invites questions about the social structures of the time and it is up to us as historians to pose them. What was the role of the family in Dutch society? What were the economic challenges and opportunities facing rural communities? By exploring sources, such as census records, local histories, and agricultural reports, we can reveal the complexities of Dutch rural life and the social conditions that shaped this image.