Organisation

In the early 20th century, many wooden buildings, symbolic of the Zaan region’s great period of prosperity, fell into disrepair. A group of enthusiasts of Zaan wood construction drew up a plan to preserve historically valuable buildings by moving them to what is now called the Zaanse Schans so that they would be preserved for the future. Architect Jaap Schipper, winner of the state prize the Prix de Rome in 1946, designed Zaanse Schans as a Zaanse living and working neighbourhood as it might have looked in the mid–19th century.

After more than 10 years of preparation, the first property was transferred to the Zaanse Schans in 1959. In 1961, Stichting de Zaanse Schans (i.e. Zaanse Schans Foundation) was established to ensure its preservation. After the first property, several properties and mills followed in rapid succession. Today, the Zaanse Schans is a protected heritage village/site and is subject to strict rules to ensure the preservation of its heritage.

As area director, Stichting de Zaanse Schans (i.e. Zaanse Schans Foundation) directs the Zaanse Schans. Indeed, the Zaanse Schans consists of many independent businesses and organisations. The Zaanse Schans Foundation is also responsible for the maintenance and management of the Zaanse Schans and the central marketing.

• Maarten van der Meer – director The Zaanse Schans Foundation | Stichting de Zaanse Schans

Board

With effect from 3 March 2022, the new statutes of Stichting de Zaanse Schans (i.e. the Zaanse Schans Foundation) will be in force, and the new foundation board will take office. The incumbent board and the Zaanstad City Council have agreed to this change in the articles of association, which means the new board will consist of three independent members.

The board of the Zaanse Schans Foundation members are:

• Martin Berendse – Chairman
• Josette de Goede – Secretary
• Jaap Reijnders – Treasurer

Historical Committee

The Historical Committee was established in February 2012. The task of the Historical Committee is to give the board solicited and unsolicited advice on changes and activities in public spaces and in and on the buildings of the Zaanse Schans. The Historical Committee consists of a group of specialists in the fields of regional history, Zaanse timber and mill construction, art history and urban planning, among others.

The advice of the Historical Committee is used in appropriate cases in decisions of the municipality of Zaanstad, having heard the Commission Welstand en Monumenten. Agreements on the advice are set out in a covenant signed by the alderman for Monuments of the municipality of Zaanstad, the chairman of the Historic Buildings and Conservation Commission, the chairman of Stichting de Zaanse Schans (i.e. the Zaanse Schans Foundation) and the chairman of the Zaans Erfgoed Association.

The current composition of the Historical Committee is:

• Joke van der Aar – chairman
• Matthijs Ero – vice-chairman
• Martin Schaap
• Pier van Leeuwen
• Josje van Leeuwen
• Jippe Kreuning
• Marry van der Aar – secretary