Betje Wolff Museum

About the museum

Since 1950 the museum has been housed in the former parsonage of the Reformed church in Middenbeemster. Here Elizabeth "Betje" Wolff-Bekker lived from 1759 to 1777 with her husband, the pastor Adrianus Wolff, who was thirty years her senior. While he preached and visited parishioners, she wrote poems and articles and translated the works of others, in a small attic room she called "Kipperust".

Betje Wolff became known as an independent, sharp-tongued author who campaigned, among other things, for girls' self-confidence and criticised hypocrisy and narrow-mindedness. After her husband's death she wrote several books together with her partner Aagje Deken, including the epistolary novel "Sara Burgerhart".

The museum displays her restored writing room with her own books and those of Aagje Deken; in the attic a film about her life is shown. The house has preserved much of its 18th-century atmosphere: the kitchen, attic and pastor's room with a grandfather clock that Betje may still have known, as well as period rooms of later centuries with furniture, paintings and books donated by residents of the Beemster. Behind the house is an 18th-century-style orchard with herb and vegetable gardens. The museum is run by the Historisch Genootschap Beemster.

Highlights

• Restored writing room "Kipperust" with books by Betje Wolff and Aagje Deken
• Film "Betje Wolff, feministe in de Beemster" in the attic
• Parsonage with an 18th-century atmosphere
• 18th-century-style garden with herb and vegetable gardens
• The museum is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Droogmakerij de Beemster

Permanent exhibition

• Pfarrhaus von Betje Wolff – A tour through the kitchen, pastor's room, period rooms and the restored writing room "Kipperust", plus a film about Betje Wolff's life.

Founded

1950

Operated by

Historisch Genootschap Beemster

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart, HGB membership card or free pass (on presentation).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the historic furnishings, the museum is only partially accessible to people with limited mobility.

Kids & families

Family offerings are described on the website only as part of the school programmes.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with chocolates bearing a portrait of Betje Wolff, books, postcards and (seasonally) herbs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Official wedding venue; ceremony in the renewed garden, in the reception room or both. Viewing by appointment.

Plan your visit