Peat-cutter houses Kalenberg - Kalenberg

Along Hoogeweg in Kalenberg there are several old cottages where families lived who made their living from peat cutting - also known as 'dyeing'. Peat cutting was a tough profession. The peat cutters (usually the men, but sometimes the women and children also helped) often worked 12 to 14 hours a day. This was also because the work was seasonal. Peat extraction started in March and ended in July. After that, it had to dry for a long time. The large chunks of peat were turned by hand several times during the drying process. During the periods when peat was not extracted, people cut reeds or fished.

Families with often more than six children lived in the small houses. They lived only in the front part, as the back part was for the tools. They also often kept some animals there, such as a goat or a pig. Today, these cottages are still occupied or rented out as holiday homes.