IJmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum

About the museum

The museum is located in the former fisheries school of IJmuiden on the Havenkade. As the port town grew after the construction of the North Sea Canal, training for the fishing industry became more important; in 1905 an association for the fisheries school was founded, and on 3 September 1916 the building was opened as the municipal Visserijschool. Between 1956 and 1970 it also housed an inland waterway skippers' school. Later the building stood empty and was due to be demolished.

In 1989 a foundation was established to save the building and turn it into a museum of the sea and the port. About 70 volunteers restored it, and on 26 March 1994 the IJmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum "de Visserijschool" opened. To this day it is run on a voluntary basis by around 90 volunteers and supported by sponsors and donors.

In 13 halls with permanent exhibitions and two halls for changing exhibitions, the museum shows the development of IJmuiden and the North Sea Canal, fishing, piloting, sea rescue, towing, ship engines, Amsterdam shipping companies, industry in Velsen, and radio and telegraphy. Notable items include the spade and wheelbarrow from the first sod-cutting of the canal on 8 March 1865 (on loan from the Rijksmuseum) as well as the document and the eagle feather from the opening on 1 November 1876. There are also a radar tower with a view over the harbours, an engine hall, a maritime library, a cinema and the outdoor area "Havenkant" with lifeboats and the cutter UK27.

Highlights

• 13 halls on the North Sea Canal, fishing, piloting and towing
• Engine hall with ship engines that run on the last Saturday of the month
• Radar tower with a view over the harbours of IJmuiden
• Open-air museum with lifeboats and the fishing cutter UK27
• Spade and wheelbarrow from the first sod-cutting of the North Sea Canal in 1865
• Museum café, search games and audio tour

Permanent exhibitions

• Vaste collectie: 13 Säle zu Kanal, Hafen und Fischerei – Permanent exhibitions on the North Sea Canal, the origins of IJmuiden, fishing, piloting, sea rescue, towing, shipping companies, industry and radio technology, with a radar tower.
• Motorenhal – Hall with old ship engines and former pumping station engines that run on the last Saturday afternoon of the month.
• Außenmuseum Havenkant – Lifeboats, the cutter UK27, a smithy and cooperage, and fishing objects in the open air.

Founded

1994

Operated by

IJmuider Stichting Zee- en Havenmuseum „de Visserijschool“

Admission & discounts

50% discount with Museumkaart. Search games and an audio tour are included in the admission. Tickets are not sold online but at the ticket desk; gift vouchers are available. Individual guided tours on fixed dates must be booked and paid for in advance.

Accessibility

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

One wheelchair and two rollators can be borrowed (reserve by phone); they are also intended for visitors with mobility scooters, who are however usually better off using the loan wheelchair. A dedicated disabled parking space is directly in front of the museum; the grounds themselves are not accessible by wheelchair. Dogs are only allowed as assistance dogs. Every floor is reachable by lift.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children can try out a lot, for example standing at the helm in the cutter UK27; there are search games, an escape game for ages 10 and up (groups of up to 4 people) and, during the holidays, activities for 6- to 12-year-olds. Children's birthday parties at the museum are possible.

Getting there & parking

The satnav address is Havenkade 55; the museum entrance is on the Kompasstraat.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Museum café with coffee, tea, soft drinks, wine or beer, soup, pastries and tosti; free Wi-Fi throughout the museum and in the café, where there is also a charging point for smartphones. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the museum, but are permitted in the open-air museum. For safety reasons, please do not bring bags and umbrellas inside; they can be left at the cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Outside opening hours, groups can book tours or meetings; the museum café is then available for coffee with pastries, drinks or meals delivered by a caterer.

Plan your visit