The old man's house in Goes is a national monument on the Zusterstraat in Goes.
After an orphanage was opened in a former monastery on Zusterstraat in 1628, the elderly were also admitted to that orphanage. They could purchase a large sum of money and had to bring their own bed with blankets and some other items, which would be given to the orphanage in the event of death. The mixing of elderly people and children and the mixing of functions led to difficulties. From 1654 onwards, part of the money raised was used to build a separate man's house. For this purpose, houses on Zusterstraat are being demolished. At the beginning of 1656, a large, but austere complex was built. Only the entrance has a beautiful gate with a text and two statues. The text reads
To help and comfort men and women
This new building is absolutely right
In peace everyone here syn tyt
And teynde van syn live long
The statues represent a wealthy man and woman, which is what the manhouse was aiming for. And they came, after all, a large purchase price had to be paid for a quiet and well-cared for old age.
In later times, the man's home increasingly became a shelter for poor elderly people. The manhuis retained its function as a retirement home until 1969. After that, it was used for the music school. The building was restored in 1982-1983, after which the ROC Zeeland and Luzac College temporarily settled there.
Source: Wikipedia