Eelco Boswijk
Date of Birth
13 Feb 1929
Biography
Eelco Boswijk was born in Den Dolder, Zeist in The Netherlands, on the 18th February 1929. He immigrated to New Zealand in March, 1951, aged 21. He worked and travelled around New Zealand until he settled in Nelson where he opened the Chez Eelco Coffee House in September 1961. He married Christine McDowell, b. 6.6.1939, on 19.5.1962 and his children were Eelco Alexander, b. 30.4.1963, Kirsten Jane, b. 24.9.1965 and Ingrid Gretel, b. 6.9.1967. The family lived at 'Ronaki' the historic home in 14 Endeavour Street, Nelson for many years.
Eelco was involved in promoting arts, crafts, performance in the Chez Gallery particularly of the Wearable Art Awards, from the William Higgins Gallery which hosted the show, with Suzie Moncrieff from 1987 onwards. His interests were very wide particularly focussing on Nelson history and natural history, as well as environmental issues. From his caf? he made friends with a huge number of people around the world as this collection illustrates. He was treasurer for the Dutch Connection Nelson Committee 1992 that was involved with Queen Beatrix's visit to Nelson to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Abel Tasman's discovery of New Zealand.
Eelco was awarded 2 service medals in 1990 from Queen Beatrix and Queen Elizabeth.
The Chez Eelco Coffee House's most famous dish was the mussel chowder which Eelco had canned. In June 2000 Eelco retired and his daughter Kirsten took over the business. She ran it until November 2002 (Press 1.10.2001). The Irish Hospitality Ltd signed a new lease with the Nelson Women's Club who owned the premises 13th July 2004 and The House of Ales opened 4th November 2004.
Sources- Mr Boswijk, Nelson Mail articles and information sheet from the ATL oral history archive in the Eelco collection.
Eelco was involved in promoting arts, crafts, performance in the Chez Gallery particularly of the Wearable Art Awards, from the William Higgins Gallery which hosted the show, with Suzie Moncrieff from 1987 onwards. His interests were very wide particularly focussing on Nelson history and natural history, as well as environmental issues. From his caf? he made friends with a huge number of people around the world as this collection illustrates. He was treasurer for the Dutch Connection Nelson Committee 1992 that was involved with Queen Beatrix's visit to Nelson to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Abel Tasman's discovery of New Zealand.
Eelco was awarded 2 service medals in 1990 from Queen Beatrix and Queen Elizabeth.
The Chez Eelco Coffee House's most famous dish was the mussel chowder which Eelco had canned. In June 2000 Eelco retired and his daughter Kirsten took over the business. She ran it until November 2002 (Press 1.10.2001). The Irish Hospitality Ltd signed a new lease with the Nelson Women's Club who owned the premises 13th July 2004 and The House of Ales opened 4th November 2004.
Sources- Mr Boswijk, Nelson Mail articles and information sheet from the ATL oral history archive in the Eelco collection.