Eerste Friese Schaatsmuseum

About the museum

The Eerste Friese Schaatsmuseum in Hindeloopen grew out of a private passion. Since 1971, Gauke and Gretha Bootsma had run a shop for Hindeloopen painting, antiques and paints. Gauke, who competed as a skater himself and was active in skating associations, first collected old wall tiles with wintry motifs. After visiting a small exhibition of old ice skates in Bolsward, he also caught the skate-collecting bug – the collection grew so large that it was housed in a museum of its own in 1983.

Today the museum sees itself as the largest museum devoted to ice skating. By its own account, it shows the world's largest collection of ice skates and sleds: from the first bone runners (glissen) and Frisian “Doorlopers” to folding skates. Rare pieces include the silver skates of Baron van Woelmont, of which only one pair exists worldwide, as well as the Queen's skates and the Swan skates.

A large part of the building is laid out as the Elfstedenzaal: every Elfstedentocht that has been held is described in detail, and each winner has a display case of his or her own. There are also exhibitions on the Amsterdamsche IJsclub, on “Oranje op het ijs” (the royal family on the ice) and on short-track racing, as well as authentically furnished workshops (pottery, forge, carpentry, paint shop, leatherwork). The museum is part of the family business Bootsma, which also includes a shop for Hindeloopen painting, a painting studio and the restaurant De Friese Doorloper.

Highlights

• The world's largest skate collection, including the silver skates of Baron van Woelmont
• Elfstedenzaal with the story of every Elfstedentocht and a display case for each winner
• Authentic workshops: pottery, forge, carpentry, paint shop
• Hindeloopen painting: shop, studio and workshops under one roof
• Restaurant De Friese Doorloper with more than 50 kinds of pancakes

Permanent exhibitions

• Elfstedenzaal – The story of every Elfstedentocht that has been skated, with photos, film footage, stamp cards and a separate display case for each winner.
• Schaatsencollectie – According to the museum, the world's largest collection of ice skates, from bone runners to folding skates, including the rare silver skates of Baron van Woelmont.
• Authentieke werkplaatsen – Historically furnished workshops around skate making: pottery, forge, carpentry, paint shop and leather workshop.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Bedrijf Bootsma (Familienbetrieb)

Admission & discounts

Group packages with a drink or lunch in the restaurant can be booked; the price list (Prijskrant) is available as a PDF on the website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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 and restaurant are accessible to wheelchair users, and there is an adapted toilet. The upper floor with the painting studio is (not yet) accessible to wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Hindeloopen painting workshops are offered for children and groups.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant De Friese Doorloper (more than 50 kinds of pancakes, coffee, lunch, hot dishes), also open to those not visiting the museum; shop for Hindeloopen painting and restoration.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit