Our Story

A small village, a global story

Oud-Vossemeer is a village on the Zeeland island of Tholen. Unassuming, at first glance. And yet no other place in the Netherlands has left such an unmistakable mark on world history.

In the mid-seventeenth century, Claes Maartenszen van Rosenvelt — the name that would later become Roosevelt — and his wife Jannetje set sail from this region to New Amsterdam — the future New York. There their son Nicholas was born, in America the forefather of a family that would help shape the twentieth century. From that line came Theodore Roosevelt, the youngest president ever, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the longest-serving president in American history.

In his final years, Franklin laid the groundwork for the United Nations. His wife Eleanor — herself a Roosevelt, and Theodore’s niece — carried that work forward and became chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights. The Universal Declaration rests on the four freedoms Franklin articulated: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

Three icons — Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor — with their roots in this one Zeeland village. The courage of Claes and Jannetje to make the crossing lies at the heart of it all.

A place that called for it

For a long time this history stayed in the background in Oud-Vossemeer — something to be proud of, but little acted upon. Around the village’s six hundredth anniversary in 2010 that began to change: the Four Freedoms became the theme tying the celebrations together, and the story came to life. In 2016 Queen Beatrix, together with a granddaughter and grandson of Franklin and Eleanor, opened the Roosevelt information centre across from our building.

That same year we opened the doors of Huys van Roosevelt, in a former bicycle shop on the Raadhuisstraat. Exactly the right spot: a fine location, room for a terrace, and directly opposite the information centre. A brasserie-restaurant built around the story of the Roosevelts, on the very ground where it all began.

Hosting with a purpose

We welcome a growing number of guests from home and abroad — Americans, Belgians, Germans — who come to discover the remarkable bond between this village and the Roosevelt family. Larger groups arriving by day tour or river cruise are shown around with pleasure and drawn into the story. Because that is what it comes down to for us: good food and drink, Zeeland hospitality, and a history that reaches far beyond the table.

While you are here, taste our acclaimed Roosevelt beer or one of our Roosevelt liqueurs — a nod to the family that set all of this in motion.

You are most welcome.

Huys van Roosevelt stands on the historic ground where the ancestors of President Theodore Roosevelt originated. A place with history, character and a story that goes beyond food.

In the heart of Oud-Vossemeer, on the island of Tholen, we combine Zeeland hospitality with a rich history. Whether you come for a cup of coffee, an elaborate dinner or a festive arrangement — you are welcome.