Boomkwekerijmuseum

About the museum

The area around Boskoop has been a centre of horticulture and tree growing since the late Middle Ages. Around a hundred years ago, residents already recognised the value of objects and documents relating to the nurseries. From the 1920s Willem de Ruijter built up a significant collection of garden tools, and in 1934 the students' association of the horticultural school founded a museum fund. Much of it was first stored in the attic of the municipal hall, and over several decades there were exhibitions.

In 1974 the foundation “Boomkwekerijmuseum” was established. In 1981 the museum and the tourist information office jointly received the municipally owned house at Reijerskoop 54, the so-called Marijnenhuis; the museum furnished the neighbouring nurseryman's house. In 2001 the neighbouring building No. 52 came into the foundation's possession, and in 2004 the museum became a registered museum. In 2007/2008 No. 52 was extensively converted and connected to No. 54 by a greenhouse-like structure, and in 2018/2019 the nurseryman's house was restored and refurnished.

The permanent exhibition shows the nurseries of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The residential house, built in 1870 on a peat foundation, conveys the life of a prosperous nursery family around 1910. Behind it lie a still-cultivated open-ground nursery with woody plants from around 1910, a workshop shed with authentic tools and a small shipyard with a barge, since the soft peat soil made transport across the ditches necessary.

Highlights

• Nurseryman's house of 1870 with furnishings from around 1910 (listed ensemble)
• Still-cultivated museum nursery with plants as they were around 1910
• Workshop shed with original nursery tools and small shipyard with a barge
• Free audio tour and English-language companion guide
• Photo hunt and electric games for children

Permanent exhibition

• Permanente Ausstellung: Baumschulen gestern, heute und morgen – The nurseryman's house of 1870, museum nursery, workshop shed and shipyard convey Boskoop horticulture as it looked around 1910.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Stichting Boomkwekerijmuseum

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart, as well as for sponsors and friends of the museum. The admission price includes the current temporary exhibition; the audio tour is free of charge. Card payment only.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

There is a disabled parking space directly at the entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Photo hunt for toddlers and children from 3rd grade as well as electric games (play boxes) for children aged 4 and over; the booklets are available at reception. Children under 12 have free admission. Programmes for schools are also available.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A12, exit 11 towards Boskoop, then after the tunnel before the second lift bridge turn right and then left; after 500 m the museum is on the left. The museum is near cycle junction 96 on the “Tuinen en Kwekers” cycle route; there are six charging points for e-bikes.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Coffee corner in the reception pavilion (coffee machine, tea, cocoa, soft drinks) with a terrace in fine weather; museum shop with items related to the nursery trade, ceramic “Schone van Boskoop” apples, books and children's gifts. Groups can book packages with pastries, lunch, high tea or a buffet.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 70 guests.

Reception pavilion for up to 70 people with audio and video equipment, catering from coffee to buffet; in summer a trip in a Boskoop barge can be added. Discount for friends and sponsors.

Plan your visit