Sometimes small, seemingly insignificant items are nonetheless a minor treasure. Take Dr. Tichelaar’s pillbox, for instance. It is simply part of the collection. Its origin and the identity of the donor remain unknown. In this day and age, however, it is very appropriate in several respects. Dr. C.J. Tichelaar came to Zandvoort in the early 1920s. He lived in Villa Minerva at Dr. Joh. Mezgerstraat 2. He also had his practice there, although the entrance was located on the Zeestraat side. At that time, Zeestraat extended much further. Tichelaar cared deeply for underprivileged children. He brought them to Zandvoort to recuperate. Initially, this took place at his home, then called Villa “De Uitkijk” at Brederodestraat 119, and later in Groot Kijkduin, where Tichelaar served as a board member and supervising physician. In addition, he devoted much attention to a well-functioning pharmacy that was accessible and affordable for all patients. This pillbox originated from there. We will never know what it contained or for which patient it was intended.

In 1928, Tichelaar published a response in the newspaper regarding an outbreak of a contagious disease (scarlet fever) on the SS Insulinde, which caused several people to fall ill and pass away. He wrote: a normally cleaned ship will not be the cause of new cases. The passengers, as carriers of the bacilli, will have infected new individuals. Failing to isolate patients for a sufficiently long period means that, whether they are ill or not, they can remain carriers and spreaders of bacilli for weeks! A text that we recognize all too well today. (Written during the COVID-19 pandemic).