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Harm Smeenge Monument

Harm Smeenge Monument

Highlight • Monument

Harm Smeenge Monument

Recommended by 17 hikers out of 19

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Location: Meppel, Drenthe, Netherlands

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Best Hikes to Harm Smeenge Monument

4.6

(21)

hikers

1. Tea Pavilion Wilhelminapark – Meppel Station loop from Meppel

6.67km

01:41

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.4

(16)

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2. Tea Pavilion Wilhelminapark – Station Meppel loop from Oosterboer

6.83km

01:43

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

5.0

(3)

hikers

3. Tea Pavilion Wilhelminapark – De Vlijt Mill, Meppel loop from Oosterboer

8.41km

02:08

10m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Theo

May 2, 2021

Mr. Harm Smeenge (1852-1935) was what you would call a Drent who did everything for 'his' Drenthe. In Meppel he was a clerk at the subdistrict court, teacher at the Rijks H.B.S., councilor, representative of the Meppel constituency in the Lower House and was elected by the Province as Member of the Senate.
This monument dates from 1938. Architect is Samuel de Clerq from Amsterdam. The sculptor is Frits van Hall from Sloterdijk. On May 25, all dignitaries had gathered in the Wilhelminapark at Parkweg. A large grandstand had to be placed to accommodate all the guests. Smeenge's daughter Hendrika unveiled the monument.
A bronze plaque with the image of Harm Smeenge has been placed on the column. On the gravel floor you read the words Excellent Drenth; Development; Patriotism and Progress. Progress and development were necessary to lift Drenthe out of its indescribable poverty. These were Harm Smeenge's motives. The four flower vases symbolize the domains on which he endeavored. In capital letters: Agriculture, Shipping, Education and Development. The names of the 34 Drenthe municipalities from before the 1998 reorganization are placed all around on the stones in the wall. The ring wall represents Drenthe's unity.
In the turbulent 1920s, the liberal Smeenge, a fierce advocate of neutral education for everyone, was the national chairman of the Association for Public Education. He was also the driving force behind new courses such as craft, agricultural and barge children education.
Daughter Hendrika van Riel-Smeenge was an education inspector and fighter for women's rights. Her son Harm van Riel would grow into a prominent representative of the people in the 1960s and 1970s. He was regarded as mentor and inspiration for Hans Wiegel. Source: 100jaarwilhelminapark.nl/harm-smeenge-monument.
The monument is located at the northern entrance of the Wilhelminapark: 100jaarwilhelminapark.nl/index.php#topperdetop

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 50 m

Weather

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Thursday 23 October

15°C

10°C

100 %

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Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h

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Location: Meppel, Drenthe, Netherlands

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Harm Smeenge Monument

1. Tea Pavilion Wilhelminapark – Meppel Station loop from Meppel

2. Tea Pavilion Wilhelminapark – Station Meppel loop from Oosterboer

3. Tea Pavilion Wilhelminapark – De Vlijt Mill, Meppel loop from Oosterboer

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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