So here it is friends… my experience visiting Maria Montessori’s study. For those of you who know Montessori, you know how important Amsterdam as to her and her son, Mario. Maria and Mario moved to the Netherlands after their travels in India. She spent so many of her days in the Netherlands and also happens to be buried in a nearby Dutch town called Nordwijk.
My visit to the AMI Headquarters was filled with so many emotions. To be honest, I felt like a young child finally getting to visit the North Pole after hearing so many stories and experiencing many Christmases with Santa’s essence. My inner child was bursting with joy exclaiming “ah ha! It is real!”
Montessori from the Start
As soon as I walked into that beautiful brick building on Koninginneweg, the Montessori essence was highly evident. There was a beautiful, wooden coat rack. It was perfectly placed at the entrance, so the adults in the environment could settle into their space. There was also simple and beautiful art on the wall, enough to be a pretty detail in a simply structured environment.
Maria Montessori’s Study
My tour of the AMI Head quarters and Maria Montessori’s study then continued upstairs and straight into her office. The first thing that I noticed was her higher level degrees and certificates of achievement hanging so perfectly on the wall just as I entered. It felt so perfect to start our tour by exploring at her educational foundation.
Just below was a perfectly placed armadio. It was filled with special Medals of Honor, meaningful pins, and my favorite item in the armoire… her simple black watch.
Continuing on my journey into her study, I noticed a beautiful bookshelf completely filled with colorful books. Upon taking a closer look, I realized that it was filled with every piece ever written by Dr. Montessori. It was definitely something special to see all of her works in one place!
Her desk was the most magical part in my opinion. The energy in that corner of her perfectly kept study felt so peaceful, like so many magical works had been created right there, on that desk.
The Photos in Dr. Montessori’s Study
Dr. Montessori as a Young Girl
This certificate is the first ever AMI Montessori Diploma. If you look closely on the bottom, it says “This diploma will only entitle the holder to direct Montessori Schools and not to train teachers in the method.” That message is still written on all AMI Montessori diplomas to this day!
Maria Montessori and her son, Mario.
Maria Throughout Time…
Photo of Maria Montessori’s Grave
Leaving Maria Montessori’s Study
Whilst walking out I noticed a bookshelf that I had not initially noticed. My tour guide mentioned that bookshelf was a different special collection of books. Maria actually used those texts for her own research. They were the books that she used for her own research.
To me, that was something special because I too have my own collection of books on Human Development, Child Neurology, Education, and Montessori placed on a bookshelf in my home. It made me think that is probably exactly what Maria would have wanted. She would want all of us to continue to grow, research, and learn how to best educationally and optimally support our children in their growth and development.
Upon leaving that location in Amsterdam, a place with an unfamiliar language and culture to me, I knew that I will always have a home with Maria Montessori there at Koninginneweg 161.