Dutch Spiritualist Society “Harmonia” (Archive (HUA))
Name in Dutch: Nederlandse Vereniging van Spiritisten "Harmonia"
NOTE: The tag "Archive (HUA)" in the title designates that this entry is about an archival collection housed at the Utrecht Archives (HUA); the entry is NOT intended to provide a detailed history of the organizations or individuals mentioned. Please expand on those subjects in the linked entries.
In November 2013, the Dutch foundation Het Johan Borgman Fonds (HJBF) completed a multi-year project to arrange and describe the archives of the Dutch Spiritualist Society “Harmonia”. Harmonia was founded on December 27, 1888 under the name Spiritistische Vereeniging Broederbond “Harmonia”. Later the name of the society was changed to De Nederlandse Vereniging van Spiritisten “Harmonia”. Further information about the administrative history can be found at Dutch Spiritualist Society "Harmonia" (Organization).
Though the archives cover the years 1888 to 2013, the majority of records date from after 1945. This is due to the fact that during the Second World War all occultist and Spiritualist societies were outlawed by the German occupational forces. Societies were closed and their libraries and archives were seized and mostly destroyed.
The Harmonia archives comprise 130 boxes of correspondence, notes, administrative, legal, financial and library records, programs, promotional and educational course materials, files organized by local chapters, photographs, newspapers, books and other publications. Included are five drawers of index cards that provide membership information. The archives also contain objects that were formerly owned by The Spiritistic Museum (1935-1940) (Het Spiritistisch Museum) and that were used during séances.
The majority of records are in the Dutch language, with some publications and other records in English. In addition, the Harmonia Archives includes a significant collection of correspondence (with letters written in English, German and French) and other materials relating to the International Spiritualist Federation (1930-2003). Those files include conference materials and correspondence regarding international congresses held in Paris (1957), London (1960), Rotterdam (1963), and Glasgow (1937 and 1969). Reports of conferences from before the Second World War can be found in the sections 4.8.3 and 4.8.4 of the Harmonia archival finding aid.
The Harmonia Archives includes the records and/or bibliographies of prominent Dutch women and men, including medium and propagandist Mrs. C. Akkeringa-Kromme, professional engineer and Spiritualist philosopher Felix Ortt, well-known Spiritualist author Mrs. Elise van Calcar, Spiritualist leader Henry Nicholas de Fremery, medium and painter Pieter Hendrik Mullaard, influential Spiritualist author J.J. van Broekhoven, poet and novelist Reverend Martinus Beversluis, and Spiritualist medium and author Miss Jacoba C. Calkoen. Most of these individuals were published authors of books and journal articles. In addition, several published in their own journals; for instance, Calcar in Op de grenzen van twee werelden, Broekhoven in Stemmen uit Hooger Wereld and Beversluis in Geest en Leven.
The detailed finding aid extends to 108 pages and will be available on the Utrecht Archives site. To consult the Archief Harmonia: Inventarisatie van het archief van de Nederlandse Vereniging van Spiritualisten "Harmonia,” please contact the Utrecht Archives. Anyone interested in more details about the Harmonia Archives can also email the HJBF office.