Milestones in microbiology
Dutch Milestones in Microbiology
In 2024, the KNVM has started marking locations in the Netherlands that are of significance for microbiology. On this page you can find more information on these Dutch Milestones in Microbiology.
Overview of milestones:
1. Birthplace of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Delft (2024)
2. Testing ground of Johanna Westerdijk, Baarn (2025)
Festive reveals Milestones in Microbiology
First Dutch Milestone in Microbiology
On Tuesday 13th February 2024, the first Dutch Milestone in Microbiology was unveiled by the Royal Dutch Society for Microbiology (KNVM). The milestone is located where the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek's birthplace once stood near the Oostpoort in Delft. The Oostpoortschool is now located on this site. Antoni van Leeuwenhoek was the first to see bacteria with his homemade lenses and he is known as the founding father of microbiology.
The milestone is marked with a plaque designed by Malou Zuidema. In addition, the KNVM commissioned the painting of a mural in the school courtyard of the Oostpoort school. The painting was designed and made by Tim Rodermans and has been nominated for the Le Compte prize.
During the festive opening, the children were able to make a ‘Van Leeuwenhoek microscope’ themselves under the guidance of Wim van Egmond, to look through microscopes, and cakes and coloring pages were handed out. It ended with a speech given by Prof. Jack Pronk (TU Delft) in front of a room full of children.
With the Dutch Milestones in Microbiology, the KNVM wants to bring microbiology to the attention of the general public. The opening was the event that marked the end of the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek year in which, among others, the Van Leeuwenhoek medal was awarded to Prof. Jillian Banfield.
Second Dutch Milestone in Microbiology
On Friday 11 April 2025, the second Dutch Milestone in Microbiology was unveiled. This milestone can be found in the Cantonspark in Baarn, where Johanna Westerdijk's experimental garden was located.
Johanna Westerdijk was the founder of research into fungi and plant diseases and was appointed the first female professor in the Netherlands by Utrecht University in 1917. Westerdijk laid the foundation for one of the largest fungi collections in the world and was an example for women in science.
The festive opening, organized by the KNVM and the Friends of the Cantonspark Foundation, took place in the Wintertuin, a former botanical greenhouse in the Cantonspark. Afterwards, the plaque was unveiled by Mark Röell - the mayor of Baarn - in the sun-drenched park by the old wall at the Rose Garden. The plaque was designed by illustrator Malou Zuidema, as was the first one for Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.
