Het Schooltje van Dik Trom
Children's book museum in the village school of Etersheim, where the author C. Joh. Kieviet taught and created the character Dik Trom.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The one-room village school of Etersheim was built in 1882/83 and was the workplace of Cornelis Johannes Kieviet, who was head teacher here from 1883 to 1902. In the adjoining house he wrote his famous children's book in 1891 about the chubby, good-natured and cheeky boy Dik Trom, one of the most popular characters in Dutch children's literature.
The school closed in 1939 and a year later was sold to a cattle farmer who used the building as a store. In 2007 it was due to make way for a new building, but a citizens' initiative saved it. In 2008 the supporters founded a foundation, Amsterdam's Stadsherstel bought the building in 2011 and had it restored with the help of grants and crowdfunding. Since 2013 it has housed a children's book museum; since the 2022 merger it has belonged to the Stichting Etersheimerbraak.
The classroom is furnished as in Kieviet's time, with old school desks, a pot-bellied stove, blackboards and wooden shoes under the coat rack. Children's books from before 1940 are also on display. Children can dress up as Ot and Sien and write with a dip pen or slate pencil and slate; an audio tour lets teachers and pupils of that time have their say.
Highlights
- Originally preserved one-room village school from 1882/83
- Audio tour "The Class of 1890" with eight audio clips
- Dressing up as Ot and Sien, writing with pen and slate pencil
- Children's books from before 1940
- Museum shop and "Expeditie Etersheim" walking route starting from the schoolhouse
Permanent exhibition
- Klassenzimmer von 1890 mit Audiotour – The single classroom is furnished with school desks, stove, blackboards and wooden shoes; eight audio clips tell of lessons and of Dik Trom.
- Founded
- 2013
- Operated by
- Stichting Etersheimerbraak
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €1Children up to and including 12 years pay €1. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Group visit outside opening hours for 10 to 35 people (wheelchair buses from 8 people); for an extra charge, coffee or tea with a "Dik Trommetje". |
| Children's birthday party (6–12 children, approx. 2 hours) | €5Price per child; accompanying adults pay €2. |
| School package (grades 3–4, one part of the day) | €90Flat price per group. |
Members of the "Vrienden van Dik Trom" (including one companion) have free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children can dress up as Ot and Sien, sit at the school desks and write with a dip pen or slate pencil. For school classes (grades 3–4) there is a half-day package with lessons, crafts and playground games.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop with new and second-hand books (including Dik Trom) and souvenirs.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 40 guests.
Classroom and annexe (up to 40 people) can be rented for part of a day outside opening hours, e.g. for courses, presentations or weddings with a reception afterwards at the De Breek visitor centre. Children's birthday parties are offered.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (NL) |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The audio tour lets Master Kieviet, his wife and pupils talk about the schoolhouse and lessons. For groups there is also the two-hour reading "Kieviet voor volwassenen" (10–20 people). Group bookings by email to diktrom.groepen@etersheimerbraak.nl. |
