History museums in Friesland

The Fries Scheepvaartmuseum is dedicated to the history of Frisian shipping from the 17th to the 20th century. The collection consists of two parts: the history of Frisian shipping and the history of the city Sneek. In addition to shipping and the regional history, the museum also covers water and i

The Fries Museum is dedicated to Friesland and its inhabitants. In the museum the story of the countryside and the eleven cities is told, the dealing with water and the search for the typical Frisian. The collection includes contemporary art, archaeological finds, old costumes, the sword of freedom

The Bolsward City Hall, a 17th-century structure, is a significant historical site in the Dutch city of Bolsward. It has been repurposed and is currently serving as a municipal desk, café, and library. This multi-purpose use of the building adds to its charm and makes it a point of interest for tourists who can appreciate its historical significance while enjoying modern amenities.

Museum 't Behouden Huys is dedicated to the history, marine history and culture of Terschelling. The museum illustrates the history of the island and its former inhabitants, with special focus on explorer Willem Barentsz. In 1596 he got stuck in the ice near Nova Zembla, after which he got through t

Openluchtmuseum De Spitkeet illustrates on a site of more than four hectares how people lived on the Frisian and Groningen heath in the period from 1850 to 1950. In that period people were very poor and life was difficult. The museum displays various types of properties and conditions of that time.

The Schaatsmuseum is dedicated to skating. The museum has the largest collection of ice skates and sledges in the world. In addition, it displays objects related to the Eleven Cities Tour. The museum also features an old workshop, a paint shops and forges.

Museum Joure is housed in ten buildings, including six national monuments. The ten buildings are surrounded by quays and a museum garden. One of the buildings once was the first factory of Dutch coffee manufacturer Douwe Egberts. The building features a coffee, tea and tobacco collection. On the 19t

Museum Drachten illustrates the cultural history of Drachten and exhibits art from the 20th century to the present. The art collection consists of works by artists and movements that are associated with Friesland. The collection includes works by Theo van Doesburg, Thijs Rinsema and Kurt Schwitters.

Museum Hindeloopen illustrates the history of the former ‘Zuiderzee’ town. Objects such as Hindeloopen paintings, Hindeloopen costumes and interiors are on display in various rooms. In addition, the museum covers the merchant navy. There is also a reconstruction of a Hindeloopen house from around 17

Museum Heerenveen is a cultural history museum on topics related to Heerenveen. The various collections are displayed in four different rooms. The museum exhibits a large architectural city model that illustrates the history of Heereenveen. There is also an exhibition on wealthy families who had an

The Casematemuseum Kornwerderzand is dedicated to the Battle of the Afsluitdijk during the German attack on the Netherlands in 1940. It features seven casemates decorated in the style of 1940, a German bunker and several other buildings. The museum illustrates the daily lives of the soldiers during

Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden is the information and activity center for the history of Leeuwarden and surroundings. It is the oldest city archive of the Netherlands (1838). Anyone who wants to know about the history of Leeuwarden or the former residents can turn to the HCL. Besides the permanent ex

Kerkmusuem Jannum is one of the pearls of Fryslân and a well-kept secret to many people outside. The small medieval church on the mound of Jannum houses a collection of sarcophagi and old church objects, but most special is the atmosphere in and around the little church. You can sense centuries of h

The Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis Museum is part of Museum Willem van Haren. The museum is dedicated to Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis (1846-1919), the founder of Dutch socialism. The study room and library give an impression of Domela Nieuwenhuis' intellectual development and his private life. The mee

Skûtsjemuseum "De Stripe" is housed in a building whose design is derived from the "skûthûs," which used to be the heart of a Frisian shipyard. The museum focuses on the lives of an earlier generation of sailors who sailed on skûtsjes. There is also a focus on today's SKS and IFKS championship compe

Tresoar is the Frisian literary and historical centre. Besides a museum, it is also an archive, library and documentation centre. It houses a collection of information sources on various Frisian topics, including highlights of the Frisian literature, films about the ‘Elfstedentocht’ and plans of Fri

The Oldehove is a tower from 1529, which should once have become the status symbol of Leeuwarden. Now it is an impressive leaning tower. The tower can be both visited and climbed.

Museum Opsterland is a regional museum that illustrates the history of Gorredijk and Opsterland. The collection is based on five themes: Geology & Archaeology, Peat & Socialism, Benefactors & Aristocracy, ‘De vlecke Gorredijk’ and Jewish history. Objects spread over four halls illustrate life and wo

The Openluchtmuseum It Damshûs illustrates how the peat workers worked and lived and how ‘laagveenturf’ was made in the period 1863 to 1920. The living and working conditions were the cause of social struggle. The museum also illustrates the change in the landscape as a result of peat extraction. On

The Sudergemaal (pumping station) from 1924 was one of the first electric pumping stations in Friesland. The museum pumping station shows how, after the peat extraction, the remaining marshy land could be cultivated. Art exhibitions are regularly organised in the pumping station with works by artist

Cultuurhistorisch Museum Sorgdrager is dedicated to the history, culture and customs of Ameland. The museum includes an originally decorated commander's house from 1751, a print room and an area for temporary exhibitions. A key theme in the museum is the relationship between the inhabitants of Amela

The Fries Landbouwmuseum illustrates two thousand years of agricultural history of Friesland. Working, living and housing conditions of a peasant family in different time periods are illustrated, including the mound period, the Middle Ages and periods before and after the Second World War. The colle

Museum Martena is located in the most beautiful city castle of Franeker (1506). In the museum, use all your senses to take in the story of the city. Drink a cup of tea in the garden room, feel the luxurious dress of Saepke van Vervou, taste the spices in the show kitchen or admire the many talents o

The Fries Verzetsmuseum is part of the Fries Museum. The museum illustrates Friesland during World War II, collaboration, resistance and persecution, daily life and liberation in Friesland. The collection includes a selection of army boots, guns, documents, photos and film clips. The museum focusses

The Hannemahuis is housed in a monumental patrician house. The regional museum exhibits objects that are related to the history and art history of Harlingen. The collection includes paintings, furniture, photographs, historical documents, maritime objects, silverware and tiles and pottery from Harli

't Fiskershúske consists of four small houses. The oldest house of the four is from 1794 and is decorated as a fisherman's house from around 1850. The museum exhibits objects related to the old coastal fishing and the lives of the inhabitants of Paesens-Moddergat. The museum also focusses on the dis

Fogelsangh State is a manor house from 1646. The rooms feature part of the Van Iddekinge collection. That collection includes crystal, silver, toys, cabinets, writing desks, bed linen in the bedrooms and copper in the kitchen. The house and its furniture, the carriage house and carriages and the Eng

Observeum is the only museum in the Netherlands with a large Middle Stone Age exhibition. It is based on years of scientific research and excavations on the banks of the Burgumermar. We also show the contrast between "rich and poor" in the 19th century, the 'Golden Age of the Frisian farmer' and how

The Stêdhûs Sleat museum is housed in the former town hall of Sloten from 1759. The museum illustrates the history of Sloten by displaying various objects that related to its history. Unique is the magic lantern collection, exhibited in the attic. Children can discover the magic of the magic lantern

Museum Hert fan Fryslan is housed in the monumental town hall of Idaarderadeel. It is dedicated to the history of central Friesland. The museum features a historical presentation on the eighteen villages of the municipality Boarnsterhim. Work and life of the Bruorren Halbertsma, their influence on t

It Gysbert Japicxhûs is dedicated to the important Frisian writer Gysbert Japicx, who lived in Bolsward from 1603 to 1666. Besides focussing on this writer, the museum is also dedicated to the Frisian language. There are five ongoing exhibitions. One of the exhibitions illustrates the life and poetr

Zuivelmuseum It Tsiispakhús is housed in a historical former cheese warehouse. The small museum organizes exhibitions on art, archaeology, culture and history. All exhibitions are related to the municipality of Littenseradeel. In addition it features a permanent exhibition on dairy. Various objects,

Command Post Grou is one of the visitor locations of the Museum Bescherming Bevolking. In the museum you imagine yourself in the world of the Cold War and visit the underground bunkers. This bunker is equipped with four command posts: Kringcommandopost Bescherming Bevolking (KCBB-Friesland-c), Provi

Museum Tromp's Huys is housed in the oldest building of Vlieland that was built just after 1575. From 1896 it was the residence of the married couple Akersloot. The museum collection consists mainly of paintings, prints, etchings and drawings by Betzy Akersloot-Berg, the former resident. Besides tha

Enter Huis Van Eysinga and explore this impressive 18th-century urban villa. Check out the beautifully decorated rooms, with original stucco and wood carvings, decorated ceilings, wallpaper painted with landscapes and marble floors. Walk the house's secret corridors with the audio tour, and disco

Dekema State is a former manor house (‘state’) located on an estate with moats, an orchard with old varieties of fruit and an ornamental garden and a forest park. The house is decorated as was common around 1930, just before the Second World War. The museum illustrates life and work during that time

Museum Dokkum is partially located in the 17th century building of the ‘Admiraliteit van Friesland and Groningen’. It is a regional museum dedicated to the history of Dokkum. The collection includes paintings, photographs, a silver collection, Frisian pottery and Frisian costumes. In addition there

Diving Museum Lemmer displays the developments in materials that humans have used to explore life underwater. Already in the time before Christ, divers donned their equipment to explore the underwater world.

Bunkermuseum Schlei is housed in a bunker of the Seeburg type. During World War II, the bunker served as a communications center. Data from radio and radar signals were collected here and transmitted to the Luftwaffe, which tried to intercept signaled Allied aircraft with fighters.

Museum Pakhuis Koophandel ('t other museum of vintage cars and lace) is housed in a 19th century warehouse. The museum's collection includes European lace attributes, hats, radios, historic cars from Europe and America and sports cars from Europe.

The Tuberculosis Museum is located in the former X-ray house on the sanatorium grounds. It features an exhibition on the history of tuberculosis control in the North.

Oudheidkamer Weststellingwerf is a historic room located in a former official residence from 1925, where several mayors used to live. The museum consists of an old grocery store, an old classroom and a living room with bedstead decorated as was common in 1920. In addition there are several showcases

Landbouw en juttersmuseum Swartwoude is dedicated to agriculture and combing on Ameland. The authentically furnished farm illustrates peasant life in Ameland around 1900. Outside the farm machines are exhibited. In the beachcombers section of the museum several beach finds collected by beachcombers

Museum the Grutter Shop is located in a 17th-century building. It was a grocery store in the past. The museum consists of several rooms. The former living room can be seen, as well as a coffee room and an old wine cellar. On the second floor is the back house where people used to live. Among other t

Museum Oold Ark exhibits hand tools primarily used in the past at the ‘Stellingwerven’. In reconstructed workshops, exhibitions illustrate how the various tools were used in the past. The museum features a special room where tools of Mr. Bulthuis are exhibited, who restored wooden tjotters. Every ye

Museum De Sûkerei illustrates how people lived and worked in the Northern Frisian Woodlands in the early twentieth century. Sûkerei means Chicory which was a replacement in 1800 for the then very expensive coffee. The museum consists of three small houses and a Chicory drying place. The cottages and