Tripscompagnie: Canal History and Asparagus Culture
Accommodation in Tripscompagnie
Canal Village with a Special History
Tripscompagnie is a canal village that emerged after 1648, following the construction of the Tripscompagniesterdiep. The canal was dug eastwards from the south of Sappemeer, turned south after one and a half kilometres and ended four kilometres north of Veendam. Tripscompagnie was a private enterprise of Adriaen Trip; the colony was named after him.
File:Tripsgat - Adriaan TripsBos - Tripscompagnie.jpg
Photo: Bvhensbergen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Farms were established along both sides of the Tripscompagniesterdiep, particularly on the eastern side. Thus, the village’s history includes not only the canal itself, but also the agricultural development along its banks.
Bridges, Mills and Historic Traces
At number 15, an Oldambtster farmhouse stands next to an iron pedestrian swing bridge. At Tripscompagniesterweg 44, there is a listed pedestrian bridge. The l’Esperance potato starch factory operated in Tripscompagnie from 1898 to 1923.
A primary school existed in Tripscompagnie from 1863. After it closed in 1983, it was used as a village community centre. Het Torentje van Trips was formerly a polder mill called “De Vereeniging”. Today, the old water mill has been converted into a luxurious historic accommodation. At sunrise and sunset, Het Torentje van Trips offers views of the green landscape; a small lake with a beach is within walking distance.
Asparagus Directly from Tripscompagnie
Grol Asperges adds its own local touch. The business runs a farm shop in Tripscompagnie, grows its own asparagus and sells white asparagus there in all varieties and sizes. Its history goes back further: in 1992, the first asparagus plants in Tripscompagnie were planted at Grol Asperges, and in 1995 the first asparagus was sold in the farm shop.
For visitors, it is not only the end product that is interesting. At the Grol Asperges farm shop, you can see how asparagus is sorted, peeled and packaged. This makes the agricultural character of the village directly tangible and offers a concrete discovery for anyone who wants to learn about regional products and how they are made while travelling.
Cycling Route and Green Landscape
There is also a clear option for an active stay: the 43.3-kilometre cycling route “Taste the White Gold” passes through Tripscompagnie, one of the authentic peat-colony villages along the route. On the route, shortly before cycling junction 36 in Borgercompagnie, continue straight on to Tripscompagnie instead of turning right. The stated route length helps you fit a cycling tour into your own timeframe.
The Adriaan Tripbos mainly consists of young deciduous forest with numerous plants and animals, a small heathland area, a swimming pond and a lookout point with magnificent views.
Culture at Dorpshuis Nooitgedacht
Culture is also part of the village’s character. Trips Rhythm was established following a jazz foundation that had previously been active in Nooitgedacht. From September to April, Trips Rhythm brought blues artists and bands to Dorpshuis Nooitgedacht in Tripscompagnie seven times a year. Other destinations include Zuidbroek and Noordbroek.
For the overarching travel overview: Menterwolde.
