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National Archives Curacao
Identity area
Identifier
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Other form(s) of name
Type
Contact area
Contact information
http://www.nationaalarchief.cw
Address
Street address
Locality
Region
Country name
Postal code
Telephone
Fax
URL
Description area
History
Organization
Foundation and Purpose
The National Archives of the Netherlands Antilles was founded on August 26th 1969. The original purpose was to manage the records of the country’s history, which were in bad shape at that time, professionally and prepare them for public viewing.
The National Archives were given custody over the records dating from 1828-1939, with a volume of app. 3 km1.
The originals of the oldest records (Oud Archief Curacao) dating from 1711 which are stored in The Hague, the Netherlands, were microfilmed in an extended project and are accessible in Curacao as well.
The collections were steadily extended with public as well as private collections, newspapers, about 400.000 photos and negatives, audio visual material dating from app. 1929 and a rich collection of illustrations, maps and drawings. Together they form our national memory. In principle and mandatory this memory is free for public viewing.
Improvements
In 1989 a master plan was designed to improve the professionalism in archives and records keeping. Part of that plan was the first draft for an Archives law which was drawn that year. It passed Parliament in 1996. Since then a lot has been done to set up a professional infrastructure for recordkeeping in the Netherlands Antilles. These improvements culminated in a new Archives law in 2008 (PB 2008, no. 7) and the building of a new repository for the current, 20 year old records.
Geographical and cultural context
Due to the 2010 constitutional reform, the federal -five island bond - was dissolved. According to the Principles of Provenance every Island is destined to hold their own Island territory records, together with the federal records, created on their territory.
According to these outlines, the National Archives of the Netherlands Antilles was reformed to the National Archives Curacao in 2010.
Mandates/Sources of authority
Administrative structure
Records management and collecting policies
Collections
Government records are mandatory transferred to the National Archives after a period of 20 years. Appraisal of these records is the responsibility of the government agencies and departments. The National Archives supervises these management tasks. However there is a severe backlog for appraisal and the challenge is to address this in the coming years on the basis of projects.
Private collections, if they meet our acquisition profile, are acquired by means of gifts, purchase and/or loan. The policy includes active survey.
Private collections include: records of churches (retro acta of Civil Record Records), enterprises and/ or persons / politicians.
Buildings
The National Archives Curacao is housed in three buildings. The main building is a historic baroque style monument called “Bolo di Batrei” (“Wedding Cake”). This building was recently restored and houses the public functions, such as reading rooms, auditorium and the exhibition room.
Supporting and administrative functions are housed in an adjacent – also monumental -building.
Records are stored in a newly build repository, right behind the “Bolo di Batrei”.
Holdings
Finding aids, guides and publications
Access area
Opening times
Thuesday 08.00 - 11.45 13.30 - 16.30
Wednesday 08.00 - 11.45 13.30 - 16.30
Thursday 08.00 - 11.45 13.30 - 16.30
Friday 08.00 - 11.45 13.30 - 16.30
Access conditions and requirements
Possible restrictions on public viewing are displayed in the finding aids. All restrictions are nullified after 70 years.
