CRASH Luchtoorlog- en Verzetsmuseum '40-'45
Volunteer-run museum in the fort near Aalsmeer on the air war over the Netherlands, the resistance and the occupation 1940–1945.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Behind the museum stands the CRASH foundation (Research in Aviation Society Holland), founded in 1991 to research crashed Second World War aircraft and the fates of their crews. Since then it has shown its finds and stories in exhibitions; everything is still run by volunteers today.
Since 2007 the museum has been housed in part of the fort near Aalsmeer, which was completed in 1905 as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. During the war the complex served as an ammunition depot, later as a storeroom and for fire brigade drills. Since October 2022 the fort has belonged to the Stadsherstel Amsterdam company, which has renovated it in several stages; the exhibition was also redesigned in the process.
The permanent exhibition covers the May days of 1940, the air war, resistance, going into hiding and secret agents, and also shows a radio room and a hall with a Spitfire. The museum values a neutral presentation: it takes no side in current conflicts, also commemorates the fallen Germans and researches the stories of victims and survivors using archive sources.
Highlights
- Spitfire hall in the historic fort
- Exhibition on the May days of 1940 and the air war over the Netherlands
- Section on resistance, going into hiding and secret agents
- Radio room with equipment from the occupation period
- Fort near Aalsmeer as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Permanent exhibition
- De permanente tentoonstelling – Newly designed permanent exhibition in the fort on the themes of the May days of 1940, the air war, resistance, going into hiding and secret agents, as well as the radio room and Spitfire hall.
- Founded
- 1991
- Operated by
- Stichting CRASH Research in Aviation Society Holland
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7.50Young people aged 13 to 17 and holders of the VriendenLoterij VIP card |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 5 · Up to 5 years free; children aged 6 to 12 €5; young people aged 13 to 17 €7.50. |
| Groups | –For more than 10 people, please use the group form; a tour, drinks and lunch can be booked in addition. |
Free with Museumkaart. Free admission also for donors (Donateurs) and veterans.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
The museum is accessible for wheelchairs and rollators; corridors and exhibition rooms are correspondingly wide. Accessible toilet available.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
Children up to 5 years enter free of charge; from 6 years there is a child's rate. There is a separate programme with search tasks for primary school classes (years 7 and 8).
Getting there & parking
Satnav address: Aalsmeerderdijk 460, Aalsmeerderbrug (Fort bij Aalsmeer, municipality of Haarlemmermeer).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups of 11 or more register via the group form (tour on request). Educational programme for years 7 and 8 of primary school (small groups of up to 8 children with volunteers, search tasks in the museum) and for secondary schools. The museum telephone is staffed only during opening hours. |
