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The building up of Stichting Monumentenzorg Curaçao in
times when support from the community was weak, was an
almost impossible task. Public awareness was almost
zero, preservationists were scorned elitist hobbyists.
Much depended on the resourcefulness and determination
of the Foundation’s board.
Since 2003 the Foundation is led by Jaime Saleh, former
governor of the Netherlands Antillen. the three presidents who
have built up a remarkable and outstanding reputation as
conservation managers.
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Frans
Karner
President 1954 -1972
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Austrian and married to
a local girl, Frans Karner became a respected banker on
the island, and the Foundation’s first president.
Karner managed to complete four major restorations, the
country estates Brievengat and Ascension, Fort Nassau
and the Scharloo mansion Pachi de Sola.
The Foundation was swept to the brink of
bankruptcy twice. To raise public awareness, but most
importantly money, Karner issued the renown Delft Blue
plates with the images of restored monuments at the
Foundation’s 10th anniversary in 1964.
During the 1969 revolt the entire archive of the
Foundation was destroyed by fire.
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Dr. Jaap Schiltkamp
President 1972 -1982
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A
Dutch civil law notary, firm and persistent, Jaap Schiltkamp took
over from Frans Karner.
He introduced a change in the Foundation’s strategy. He
kept professionals close at hand and focussed his
efforts on the restoration of the historic nucleus of
Willemstad. In the run-down neighbourhoods of the city
old dwellings were purchased, restored and rented out to the
original inhabitants. The ‘Otrobanda Village’ project
became the first revitalization project of Historic
Willemstad. Launched by Dr. Percy Henriquez,
conservationist from the very beginning, the project aimed at
opening up the IJzerstraat neighbourhood for tourism.
For the first time the historic inner city was seen as
an asset for the economy of the island.
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Ernest (Jackie) Voges
President 1982 - 2003 |
Still a member of the board of the Foundation, Jackie Voges
was the first president with roots in the Antillean
society. An experienced government and private sector
executive and manager, Jackie Voges has a keen eye for
strategic development. The ‘Four Alley Plan’ in
Otrobanda and the reconstruction of the landmark monument Hotel
Venezuela into the state-of-the-art Maritime Museum are
testimony to this.
As the Foundation’s president he was instrumental for
the inscription of Historic Willemstad on the World
Heritage List of UNESCO. He has broadened the base of
the Foundation and has turned it into a professionally
managed institution with a sound financial basis.
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Jaime Saleh
President 2003 - date |
Former lawyer, professor,
president of the Court of Justice and much
applauded former governor of The Netherlands Antilles,
Jaime Saleh has been chosen to become the Foundation’s
fourth president.
A man of patience and determination, he is to lead the
Foundation in times of great change both in the financial environment and the
administrative structure of Curaçao.
A particular challenge will be the creation of a new and
sustainable foundation for continuity in the care for
Curaçao’s monuments in a fast changing environment.
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