Ten Boom House

Surely, the sorry tale typified by the Anne Frank story was repeated in many versions all over Europe during WWII. One such example involves Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch woman whose story was immortalized in “The Hiding Place.” During the Nazi occupation, Corrie lived with sister, Betsy and their father at Bartelijorisstraat 19 in Haarlem.

The Ten Boom House, Haarlem

As a deeply religious Christian family, the Ten Booms assisted the safe passage of over 800 Jewish fugitives and wanted resistance fighters during the occupation years. To facilitate their efforts a "hiding place" about 36 inches wide was created behind the rear wall of Corrie's bedroom.

A view of the "hiding place" in 2012

Entrance was through the lowest portion of the linen closet

In February 1944, a German agent posing as a Dutch citizen requested Corrie’s assistance. Despite being severely ill, Corrie met with the man, who requested a contribution of 600 guilders, which Corrie supplied. Assured of their suspicions, Gestapo agents raided the Ten Boom house.

Book jacket

The early warning system installed at the Ten Boom house worked well and the four Jews and two resistance fighters in the house were safely concealed in the hiding place. Unable to find the people hiding, the search did reveal approximately 100 ration tickets, which was enough evidence to arrest the entire family.

Discovered ration book and the secret compartment at the base of the stairs

Legend (and the tour guide) has it that Papa Ten Boom was given the option of remaining in Haarlem on condition he would never again receive visitors. He refused. Ten days later he died.

Corrie Ten Boom

It is estimated that over 95,000 women over the age of 25 were exterminated at Ravensbruck, but Corrie, a middle-aged woman, survived her imprisonment. According to the tour guide, a clerical error led to her release. Corrie was much more inclined to credit divine intervention than sloppy bookkeeping. Corrie lived to tell her tale in over 100 countries worldwide, including Germany. Corrie even claimed she once met and forgave the prison camp guard who had regularly beat her sister.