The Summer of Laren
In the summer of 1938, a young Anne Frank spent ten days at Het Kinderhuisje in Laren, a home for children on short or long-term stays. It’s not clear how Anne came to be there, though a connection to her Montessori School is a strong possibility, as the institution was mentioned in a Montessori newspaper.
During her time there, Anne was a part of a small, temporary community. She was photographed with other children, including Steffi Grünberg, Henk Schultink, and permanent residents Paola and Dirk Folmer. She also spent time with Lydia Leerketen, a connection that went beyond the children’s house—both girls attended the same Montessori school in Amsterdam.
Henk Schultink, one of the boys from the photos, later reflected on their brief time together, saying, “It still amazes me that I once met Anne Frank.” His words are a testament to the quiet, ordinary moments of her early life, moments that now carry a profound significance. These photos from Laren show Anne as a happy and relaxed child, a stark contrast to the tragic fate that awaited her. They remind us that her story is not just one of suffering, but of a life filled with laughter, friends, and simple joys, a life that, for a few short days in the summer of 1938, was perfectly normal.