Broerekerk te Bolsward, tijdens herstel- of restauratiewerkzaamheden 1903

This photograph shows the Broerekerk in Bolsward during restoration work, captured by an anonymous photographer working for Monumentenzorg. The image offers us a glimpse into the intersection of labor, preservation, and cultural identity. The church, a symbol of community and history, is enmeshed in scaffolding, a testament to the human effort required to maintain our heritage. The bricks stacked nearby and the tools leaning against the structure speak volumes about the working-class individuals whose labor sustains cultural institutions. In a society where the narratives of the working class are often sidelined, this photograph serves as a reminder of their essential role in shaping and preserving our shared history. It prompts us to consider whose stories are told and whose labor is visible in the ongoing construction of cultural memory. The image quietly acknowledges the contributions of those who literally rebuild our monuments, asking us to reflect on the values we inscribe in stone and the people who make that inscription possible.