Back in 2008 I had the opportunity to visit the the Corrie ten Boom Museum in Haarlem, Holland, where Corrie ten Boom, author of The Hiding Place, and her family protected and hid many Jewish people during World War II, helping them escape to safety.I wrote a lengthy post about it and included some snapshots.Now, thanks to a new website created by the Corrie ten Boom Museum, you can take a fantastic virtual, narrated tour (link takes you to the English version). After the introduction, click on specific rooms to be taken directly there. Clicking on the rooms in order is ideal, if you have time to listen to the narration. Directional arrows allow you to look up or down, left or right, and to enter different spaces.You can see some of the ten Boom family photographs up close in great detail, and feel as if you are standing in the various rooms.Before you leave, be sure to visit Corrie’s bedroom and step into the actual hiding place. You can turn around the cramped space and imagine what it must have been like to huddle in fear, listening to Gestapo clop around the house as they searched for hidden Jews.The people who gave us the tour in 2008 told Corrie’s story and, in keeping with Corrie’s love for Jesus, they wove the Gospel message into the narration—the message of love, sacrifice and forgiveness in Christ Jesus that Corrie wrote and spoke about so earnestly and passionately during her lifetime as she traveled the world.The virtual tour includes that same message, woven into the narration.Please visit the Corrie ten Boom museum online, and make sure you have time to linger.
Jessica says
Very cool. Thanks for sharing this. I fell in love with Corrie Ten Boom as a young girl after reading her book and watching the movie.
Such an amazing story.
annkroeker says
I hope you have time to do the virtual tour. They’re using the same technology Realtors use to provide people with 360 degree views of the house. I didn’t discover Corrie until I was a college student or young adult, and was captivated.
Ellen Olivetti says
We went in 2006 and thought it was incredibly moving. This year, we went to see Ann Frank’s hiding place and it was also amazing. But the Ten Boom house just transported you back there and you could imagine yourself faced with the moral dilemma and decisions the ten Boom family, and others like them, must have faced. By the end of the tour, Gene and I were in tears. Hope to go back someday. Thanks for sharing.
annkroeker says
That day we wanted to try to see both–to drive to Haarlem to see the ten Boom museum and then over to Amsterdam. It was just too ambitious. We had to settle for just seeing the one.
Thanks for your comment, Ellen–what a delight to see you here!
Linda says
I haven’t visited in a little while Ann (things have been a bit hectic here) and have missed you. This is just wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m on my way to take the tour.
annkroeker says
Oh, I hope you like the tour! And I hope your life settles down a little. 🙂
Hazel I. Moon says
Corrie was an amazing woman and I am happy you could go on such a journey to actually see her home. When my middle daughter was sick in bed for many weeks, I read her a chapter each night from Corrie’s book. We were amazed at her courage, and her strength even when in prison. Her story of forgiving the prison guard was so touching and inspiring too.
Terry Montague says
Thank you for doing a write up on the Ten Boom Virtual tour. If was a labor of love for us and we are very proud of it. I am thrilled to see others have enjoyed viewing it as well.
Best Regards,
-Terry Montague
Emma says
oh my!! you dont know what you do for me!! this is .. amazing!! i ask every friend/relative who visit europe (if they go close) visit this museum for me… so far no success hahaha!! i read the hidden place one hundred times!! (I always cry when Betsy pass away)… this virtual tour is great!! thanks a lot!!
annkroeker says
Thank you for your comment–I need to re-read The Hiding Place myself. Such an inspiring story that points to the Lord!