KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is celebrating its 106th anniversary this year by presenting, as every year, a new miniature Delft Blue House: Villa Rameau, the residence of the young man next to the Pieterskerk church in Leiden. The Pilgrim Fathers arrived here from Great Britain and stayed for twelve years before setting sail on the Mayflower for America in 1620.
106 years of transatlantic ties
With that Pilgrim journey began a continuous connection across the Atlantic that KLM has proudly continued for 106 years. The oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name, KLM has played a key role in connecting the Netherlands and Europe with the United States of America. As part of the Air France-KLM group and through its joint venture with Delta Air Lines, the airline carries millions of passengers each year between Europe and the US, serving a network of fifteen destinations in the United States. This connection supports economies and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.
“With the presentation of our 106th Delft Blue miniature, Villa Rameau, we are not only celebrating our anniversary, but also the importance of connection and resilience,” said Marjan Rintel, President and CEO of KLM. “These values ??are reflected in the history of the house and the Pilgrims, and they are also at the heart of KLM. For 106 years, we have been building global connections. Especially in difficult times, this house reminds us of how important it is to stay connected. It is a small symbol with a big story about how we continue to innovate and shape the future of aviation.”
A rich history in Leiden
Villa Rameau, now home to the American Pilgrim Museum Leiden, has a storied past. The first Pilgrim harvest festival was held here to mark the Liberation of Leiden, marking the beginning of what Americans know as Thanksgiving, a tradition that is still celebrated in the Pieterskerk. Later, the Rameau family who lived in the house played a key role in the local resistance during World War II. This landmark in Leiden symbolizes perseverance in turbulent times and the forging of new bonds, values ??that KLM holds dear.
Peter Heijkoop, Mayor of Leiden, said: “We are honoured that Villa Rameau, with its unique history and central location in our city, is now part of the KLM Delft Blue Houses collection. This house tells an important part of Leiden’s history, from the Pilgrims to the resistance. We are proud to see this story shared with the world in this special way.”
About the Delft Blue Houses
Since the 1950s, KLM has been offering Delft Blue Houses miniatures containing Bols Dutch Gin as a gift to passengers in World Business Class on intercontinental flights. All miniatures are replicas of special buildings, mainly from the Netherlands, and are collector’s items. Since 1994, the number of buildings has been synchronised with the age of KLM. Every year on & October, on KLM’s birthday, a new miniature is added to the collection. KLM’s annual miniature is a tribute to points that connect the Netherlands to the world.
