HISTORY – Engels
HISTORY
About the history of a special old farmhouse and the people who lived there.
The POSTMA family
The farm owes its name to the last resident of the 'Pleats': Nynke Postma (1902-1980). She is buried next to the 13th-century church opposite the farm. Nynke was the daughter of Hinke and Pieter Postma. It was a mixed farm: livestock was kept in the barn and the field was worked in addition. Around 1970 the farm had fallen into such a state of disrepair that it had to be restored. The last years of her life she lived in a small house in Piaam.
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agricultural heritage
Koprompboerderij Nynke’s Pleats has a special shape. The large barn is very wide and relatively low. By dating the wooden beams, it has been established that the farmhouse was built around the year 1667. Older beams from the 16th century were also used in the construction, but these were probably reused. The masonry in the back wall is also exceptional, with an arched shape in two colors of brick. It is therefore not surprising that the farm was given the status of a national monument in 1968.
First restoration
Old photos show that the farm was in a very bad state around 1970 and that the barn had even partially collapsed. The listed farmhouse therefore urgently needed to be restored to prevent permanent loss. The first restoration took place in 1972, in which many of the original parts have been retained. Prior to this restoration, very detailed drawings were made that now form an important historical source.
RESTAURANT
During the restoration in 1972, a new, public function was chosen for the farm. Restaurant De Nynke Pleats has been a well-known successful place in the social life of Piaam and the surrounding area for over 45 years. Many parties and weddings have taken place there, and many tourists from the Netherlands and abroad have visited the restaurant on their journey through Friesland. The restaurant closed permanently in 2018.
PIAAM
Nynke's Pleats is located in the terp village of Piaam, just behind the old sea dike between Makkum (2 km) and Workum (8 km). It has a protected status, consists of about 15 houses and two churches and about 35 people live there. The village dates back to the 13th century when the sea still had free play around the artificial hill on which it was built. Just opposite the entrance to the Nynke Pleats is the 13th-century Gothic single-aisled church. It is, like Nynke's Pleats and the hfarm known as Piaam State, also a listed building. In the 1960s there were far-reaching plans to turn Piaam into a real museum village. The conversion of the farm into a restaurant was an important part of this. Piaam has been part of the Ald Faers Erfroute and the Zuiderzeeroute for many years. In the summer there are still many cyclists and walkers who come to enjoy this special place.