Atlas of Mutual Heritage

The Atlas of Mutual Heritage (AMH) is a growing scientific digital catalogue of images and data of VOC-and WIC-places overseas. The AMH has come about through the Nationaal Archief (National Archives), the Rijksdienst voor de Monumentenzorg (now National Service Cultural Heritage) and the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam (National Museum) as partners of this project. During the second stage of the project the Koninklijke Bibliotheek (National Library) also became a partner. The initiator of this project is (art) historian Martine Gosselink at Amsterdam. The organisation as well as the research is performed by her.
In the first stage of the AMH-project (1996-2003) a database was developed with information concerning the Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC) (Dutch East India Company). Starting 2004 information about the West Indische Compagnie (WIC) is also inserted. At a later stage other modules can also be attached to the AMH, for example the module legation- and expedition journeys or the module Dutch monument overseas from 1800 until now.

On 2 October 2013, a new version of the Atlas of Mutual Heritage was released. By making better use of Google Maps and by updating the interface system, the website has become much more user-friendly. The database system of the website is also updated in order to ensure that it stays relevant and workable for future updates.

At present this expanding database contains 6244 images drawn from a variety of collections in the Netherlands and abroad. The website also offers a complete overview of the places where the VOC and the WIC were based.

The Atlas of Mutual Heritage is and will remain an open system. It is intended that other institutions both at home and abroad (museums, libraries, archives and academic institutions) will in future add to the system with visual material held in their collections.

OBJECTIVES
The system should function as a key aid and basis for further research.
Improve the quality of information provision to the client.

RESULTS
The many search options in the system not only functions as an aid to research on VOC/WIC-related topics but also as an aid to interdisciplinary scholarship for example in socio-cultural history, history of architecture, restoration of overseas monuments, colonial history and art history.

The Atlas of Mutual Heritage represents a major and welcome improvement in information provision. Using the AMH, staff at reference libraries and photographic archives are be able to respond to customer queries quickly and efficiently.