From its opening, the Hermitage Amsterdam has been a busy destination. For 324 years, the building housing the museum was a home for the elderly. When, at the end of the twentieth century, it appeared that the care facility Amstelhof no longer met the demands of the time, a new destination was sought.
The wealthy merchant Barent Helleman died on October 18, 1680, and had named the Diaconie as his sole heir. He left some 90,000 guilders. The Diaconate decided to use this to establish a home for "old berries. Until then, needy women were taken care of by private individuals: expensive and inefficient. The city donated a piece of land and construction could begin. Probably city architect Hans Jansz. van Petersom signed for the design.
Amstelhof was completed 16 months later. The home housed 400 women. Eligible ladies had to be over the age of 50, a member of the church for at least 10 years, and a resident of the city for 15 years.
The Hermitage Amsterdam is wheelchair accessible and a wheelchair toilet is available.