Zilverfabriek

When you drive from Leiden to Voorschoten, the Silver Factory is on your right when you enter the village. The white building is recognizable by its elongated shape with stepped gables at both ends. The founder of the factory was the Utrecht businessman Johannes M. van Kempen III. His workshop there had become too small and the municipality of Utrecht did not give permission for his expansion plans. That is why he moved with his family to Voorschoten in 1857, where he was given the opportunity to carry out his grand plans. He bought the Berbice estate and the grounds adjacent to it. There he had his Silver Factory built.