Poort van Slot Haamstede 1890 - 1920

This photograph titled 'Poort van Slot Haamstede' was created by an anonymous photographer working for Monumentenzorg, the Dutch national heritage organization. Here, we see a family standing in front of the entrance gate to Haamstede Castle. The rigid bars of the gate contrast with the three figures arranged in front. Perhaps they are guarding the entrance to this historic landmark. More likely, they are local people simply posing for a photograph. What did it mean for them to present themselves in this way, in front of this monument? The photograph offers a glimpse into the dynamics between people and the spaces they inhabit, and asks us to think about who has access to history and how they choose to represent themselves within it.