Ergens in Nederland 1939-1945
Private museum in Emmen with thousands of original objects on the Dutch mobilisation, occupation and liberation, 1939–1945.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum grew out of Erik Zwiggelaar’s passion for collecting. It began in the 1980s behind his grandparents’ house in Erica, where an American B-17 bomber had crashed during the war. On Sundays the family searched there for wreckage, at first with the naked eye, later with a metal detector. The first pieces of the collection, a German table knife and debris from a B-17G, are still on display in the house today.
Over the years the collection grew to about 5,000 objects, largely from flea markets. It consists of original military and civilian items made up to 1945 and concentrates on events in the northern Netherlands, but also includes pieces from theatres of war around the world. For each object the museum tells its own story, from personal memories to general wartime themes.
On 28 March 2015 the foundation opened the museum on the Weerdingerhaag in Emmen. The exhibition is divided into sections, including the Dutch mobilisation, the occupation period, the German occupiers, the Allies, the armoury, war archaeology, ammunition, and books and documents. The museum is run by volunteers and is open only on published dates or by appointment.
Highlights
- Over 30 mannequins in original uniforms with helmets, gas masks and equipment
- Wreckage of a crashed American B-17 bomber from Erica
- Section on the Dutch mobilisation 1939–1940
- Armoury with rifles, binoculars and rangefinders
- Ground finds from war archaeology
Permanent exhibitions
- Mobilmachung 1939–1940 – Souvenirs, uniforms and equipment from the Dutch mobilisation period before the German invasion in May 1940.
- Waffenkammer und Kriegsarchäologie – Rifles, ammunition and ground finds, including wreckage of an American B-17 bomber that crashed in Erica.
- Besatzungszeit und Alliierte – Everyday objects and militaria of the German occupiers, the Allies and the Dutch population during the war years.
- Founded
- 2015
- Operated by
- Stichting Museum Ergens in Nederland 1939-1945
- Director
- Erik Zwiggelaar
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Children up to 12 years free when accompanied by an adult (maximum three children per adult). |
| Groups (6+ people) | €2.50 per personFrom 6 paying people €2.50 per person; guided group €30 flat fee, by arrangement only, maximum 15 people. |
| Guided group (flat fee) | €30By arrangement only, maximum 15 people. |
Free for veterans with a veteran’s pass, volunteers at museums in Drenthe (with a Drentse musea pass) and donors to the museum. Simple drinks and snack bars for small change.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|
Children up to 12 years have free admission when accompanied.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Vossepad
Bus 15 (Emmen–Stadskanaal) and bus 73 (Emmen–Groningen) to the Vossepad stop; Emmen station is about a 16-minute walk.
By car take the A37 towards Groningen and the N34 to the Emmen Centrum exit (N381); go straight ahead at the traffic lights, straight ahead at the roundabout onto the Weerdingerstraat and turn left into the Weerdingerhaag at the next traffic lights.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Reception and sales room; coffee, tea, soft drinks and snack bars are offered at small prices.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | School classes and groups can arrange a guided visit by appointment. The museum lends objects and, on request, gives talks and puts on off-site exhibitions. |
