{"id":9313,"date":"2018-02-20T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2018-02-20T14:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=9313"},"modified":"2018-02-06T23:21:34","modified_gmt":"2018-02-07T04:21:34","slug":"calling-all-cat-lovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=9313","title":{"rendered":"Calling All Cat Lovers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2018 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Cats…had them when I was younger.\u00a0 Norie, Blackie and a few whose names I don’t remember.<\/p>\n

Today, I am more of a dog person, but when I read of the Katten Kabinet, I had visions of a museum with hundreds of cats roaming throughout the gallery.\u00a0 Always looking for something unique, it seemed like something worth checking out.\u00a0 I had some time to kill and it was in the area…<\/p>\n

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Paying the admission in the old patrician house where the museum is located, I looked around…no cats.\u00a0 I browsed through the gift shop.\u00a0 Lots of books and posters.\u00a0 No cats.\u00a0 Finally, I headed up the stairs.\u00a0 Still, no cats.<\/p>\n

\"\"What I did find, however, is that the Katten Kabinet offers a look at the role of the cat in art and culture throughout the centuries, displaying hosts of art in the forms of posters, original paintings and sculptures paying homage to cats.\u00a0 The most interesting display, however, was a host of letters written to the museum and its cats from other cat lovers expressing their love of felines!<\/p>\n

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\"\"Founded in 1990, by William Meijer, a wealthy Dutchman, the museum pays homage to his feline companion, John Pierpont Morgan (1966-1983) and is housed in a structure that commands more attention than the collection displayed in it.\u00a0 Built in 1667, for William and Adrian Van Loon, the museum faces the historical Museum Van Loon, an identical floorplan, just across the canal.\u00a0 After a draw, which decided which of the brothers were to receive either of the homes, it was William who acquired the property at 497 Herengracht.\u00a0 Throughout its history, the house has hosted several famous people, such as the Mayor of Amsterdam, Jan Calkoen and former American president, John Adams. It has been rebuilt and redecorated several times, though most of its current state represents the 19th century.<\/p>\n

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\"\"\"\"After walking through a couple of the rooms in the museum, I finally did encounter two of the five cats that are reported to live on the premises.\u00a0 Stretched out on a window sill, a black and white feline stared impassively at the visitors wandering through its home.\u00a0 A short while later, another mostly white cat paced back and forth behind a glass-pane doorway, obviously hoping to be released from its confines by the owner who currently resides on the top floor.<\/p>\n

So, should you visit?<\/p>\n

Well, if you are in Amsterdam and looking to drop a few more euro than necessary…this is your museum.<\/p>\n

If you are tired of visiting austere museums on art and history, of which there are several…this is your museum.<\/p>\n

Cat lover?\u00a0 This is definitely your museum.<\/p>\n

Anyone else?\u00a0 If you have the IAmsterdam card, are in the area and have nothing else to do for half an hour (and I am being generous with the time)…this is your museum.\u00a0 Otherwise, there are so many more places and sights that will fill your time more productively.\u00a0 Seek those out.<\/p>\n

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.<\/p>\n

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Katten Kabinet<\/strong><\/p>\n