The building housing Museum Het Prinsenhof was not always a museum. This complex has had many functions.
In 1884 restorations began to the 'Eetzaal' or Dining Hall and the 'Moordhal' or Murder Hall. On 17 April 1887 the 'Rijksmuseum De Historische Zaal van het Prinsenhof' (Rijksmuseum Historical Hall of the Prince's Court) was opened. From 1891 until 1937 the studio of a stained-glass artist Jan Schouten was above the ‘Kamer van Charitate' or Charity Chamber. In 1894 the army left the ‘Kapittelzaal' or Chapter Hall and in 1899 also vacated the floor above the Historische Zaal, where in 1906 the ‘Gemeentemuseum' (Municipal Museum) came. The chapel of the Walloon Reformed Church was donated in 1880.
Only in 1925 did the Delft city council regain complete possession of the complex, with the exception of the Walloon Reformed Church. In 1940 a thorough restoration began in order to restore Het Prinsenhof to its original 16th century state. While major restoration continued until 1948, its total completion took till 1962.
The St Agatha Convent
The Prinsenhof complex was originally part of a convent, established at the start of the 15th century by a nun's community.
In 1400 the sisters bought a brick house with ground at the ‘Oude Delft' street. In the following years they bought the surrounding buildings up to the ‘Schoolstraat' street. On 12 December 1402 the city authorities granted them permission to place a wall around the complex.
On 30 April 1402 the complex officially became a convent using Saint Agatha as patron saint. During the 15th century the complex become a square surrounding a courtyard. The square took shape by the chapel being at right angles to the Chapter Hall (assembly), which was again at 90 degrees to the Schoolstraat. Around the corner along the Schoolstraat and the Oude Delft lay the dining hall, kitchen, dormitories and other rooms.
The complex continued to expand until the great city fire of 1536.
Living quarters of William of Orange
On 27 July 1572 the Delft city council chose to side with Prince William of Orange in the struggle against Spanish rule. The convent was taken over by the Calvinist authorities, which then had to find a new function for it. The nuns were allowed to remain living there. The last one died in 1640 at the age of 100 and was buried in the convent chapel.
In August 1572, Prince William of Orange chose the well defendable Delft as his settlement. He stayed regularly in the convent complex. From within the chapel the Prince heard the news of the liberation of Leiden. His daughter Louise Juliana was also baptised here in 1576. The Prince had his sleeping quarters and adjoining visitors reception area (usual at this time) on the 1st floor of the guest area in the northeast corner of the building, the present ‘Prinsenkamer' or Prince's Hall. On 18 March 1584 a new staircase was installed between the dining hall and the 1st floor. Upon this staircase Orange was murdered on 10 July 1584.
What happened next?
The Dining Hall continued to be used for receptions and was even beautified with new fireplaces and a ceiling painting by Leonard Bramer. Until 1698 the complex offered hospitality to Stadtholders, ambassadors and distinguished guests of the city council.
The Charity Chamber, established in 1597 to administer poor relief was housed in a wing on the Schoolstraat (1614). This room still retains its original state. In the years that followed the separated half of the chapel saw use as a churchwarden's living quarters and until 1635 as a Cloth Hall of the Merchant Adventures. The Weavers and Cloth traders Guild came in 1645. The Chapter or assembly hall became a warehouse. From 1658 until 1818, the visitors' quarters were a 'Saaihal' for trading cloth. 'Saai' means fine cloth. The Pharmacists Guild also used some areas. A music hall and in 1href="http://www.prinsenhof-delft.nl/6 the Latin School were established in the complex.
Between 1781 and 1900 the old convent saw repeated use as a military barrack. The historical 'Eetzaal' (dining hall) became a gymnastics hall.
