Houtstad-IJlst

About the museum

The museum tells how wood shaped the town of IJlst over the centuries: timber trading, sawmills, shipbuilding and a factory that made tools, skates and wooden toys. The foundation behind the museum was established in February 2015, and the official opening took place in April 2018.

The building was designed by the firm Onix and consists of nine cubes of wood and glass. It is energy-neutral and received the Vredeman de Vries Prize for architecture in 2018. It stands directly on the De Geeuw waterway next to the wood sawmill De Rat, whose operation can be watched through the glass walls.

The heart of the collection is the everyday objects of the Nooitgedagt company: Jan Nooitgedagt began making planes and chisels in 1865, and the business grew with his sons into a firm with more than 150 employees. There are also objects on the history of IJlst since the year 1000, on the local shipyards and timber businesses, and a model of the town from 1664. In the large workshop, set up as it would have been around 1900, workshops and activities are held for schools and families; the building also houses IJlst's VVV office. About 60 volunteers keep the museum running.

Highlights

• Nooitgedagt collection: tools, skates and wooden toys
• Workshop in 1900 style with workshops and children's activities
• History of the IJlst shipyards and a town model from 1664
• Energy-neutral timber building made of nine cubes right on the water
• View of the neighbouring sawmill De Rat

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlung Nooitgedagt – Tools, skates and wooden toys from the former factory, supplemented by the history of the company.
• Werkstatt anno 1900 – Large workshop in turn-of-the-century style where workshops and children's activities take place regularly.
• Geschichte von IJlst – Shipbuilding, timber trading and sawmills, plus a model of the town from 1664 and information on the De Rat mill.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Stichting Museum en Werkplaats Houtstad IJlst

Admission & discounts

Free admission: In November (Museum Month) admission is free.

Supporters from €10 per year get free admission for two people for a year.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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 ground floor with the workshop is easily accessible; the upper floor can only be reached by a wide staircase (no lift). An audio presentation is in preparation. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

In the workshop, children craft with wood during the holidays, for example key rings or small cars. A tree search card (€2) leads through the building.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A7, exit 21 Hommerts-Jutrijp (coming from Bolsward and Joure); by boat via the Geeuw between Sneek and IJlst.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books, wooden toys, posters and old skates and tools from Nooitgedagt; the building houses IJlst's VVV office.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit