Openluchtmuseum De Sûkerei

About the museum

The open-air museum in Damwâld shows life and living in the Northern Frisian Woodlands (Noardlike Fryske Wâlden) around the year 1900. It is run entirely by volunteers. At its centre is the chicory drying house, which serves as a visitor and exhibition centre: there, the entire chicory production process can be followed, and two reconstructed kilns (eesten or “jisten”) stand in the building. It originally stood in De Falom.

On the grounds stand three “wâldhúskes”, small woodland houses that were moved here from De Falom, De Westereen and Rinsumageast. Each has its own theme: De Falom is about fishing, hunting and poaching, De Westereen shows a family living from crafts and trade, and Rinsumageast a small woodland estate with mixed livestock and arable farming.

Since July 2016 the polder windmill “De Mearmin” from Roodkerk (1892) has been part of the museum; when it runs, it drains the museum grounds. In addition, a barrel shed (tonnetjesloods) is being built on the grounds. To close the season there is the “Dollersdei” event day in autumn with demonstrations of the chicory harvest, music and games. The Halepaden walking routes and the Bonifatiusroute pass by the museum.

Highlights

• Chicory drying house with reconstructed kilns
• Three relocated woodland cottages (wâldhúskes) with their own themes
• Polder windmill “De Mearmin” of 1892
• Personal guided tour included in admission (subject to availability)
• Chicory coffee in the factory or on the terrace

Permanent exhibitions

• Zichorientrocknerei – Visitor and exhibition centre showing the entire chicory production process and two reconstructed kilns.
• Waldhäuschen (wâldhúskes) – Three relocated houses on fishing and hunting, crafts and trade, and mixed farming in the Frisian Woodlands.
• Poldermühle De Mearmin – Polder windmill of 1892 from Roodkerk, which drains the museum grounds when it runs.

Admission & discounts

Patrons and friends of the museum have free admission. Admission includes a personal guided tour, subject to availability. If a group reservation is cancelled less than a week in advance, €25 is charged.

Accessibility

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

The museum is not fully wheelchair accessible; an adapted toilet is available. Pets on a lead are welcome on the grounds.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

For children up to about 8 years, a nature route with Eddie the hedgehog is available on request (ten tasks in boxes spread across the grounds, not on event days). During the autumn holidays there are, among other things, a puzzle treasure hunt and old Dutch games.

Getting there & parking

The Bonifatiusroute cycle route passes the museum between nodes 65 and 63; a walking route over the Halepaden starts from the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Chicory coffee with pastries in the factory or on the terrace; catering (lunch, coffee table, buffet) can be booked for groups of 15 or more.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Suitable as a wedding venue; arrangements with catering for groups of 15 or more.

Plan your visit