You are now in a residential area on the edge of Delft with a park in the middle. Factory owner Jacques van Marken had the oldest part of the district built around 1884 as accommodation for his employees. The neighbourhood is named after his wife Agneta.

Jacques and Agneta van Marken were an enterprising couple. In 1869 Jacques founded the Nederlandse Gist & Spiritusfabriek (now part of DSM). Yeast was produced here to make bread. A second factory followed in 1883, mainly producing peanut oil: the Nederlandsche Oliefabriek (later merged into Calvé). Agneta founded her own perfume factory. She also took over the management of the other factories when Jacques was ill or travelling.

As an entrepreneur, Jacques van Marken was deeply involved in the well-being of his employees. He was the first factory owner in the Netherlands to have set up a work council and insurance for accidents. His staff also shared in the profits. Agneta Park is built on the basis of these ideals. It was intended as an affordable and clean shelter for its staff.

Sources
Een park met stijl – Stadsarchief Delft. (n.d.). https://www.stadsarchiefdelft.nl/delft365/een-park-met-stijl/