Museum Sophiahof

About the museum

The Museum Sophiahof, in a listed villa on the Sophialaan in The Hague, is the place where the Indisch and Moluccan communities of the Netherlands make their shared heritage visible. The background is the "Collectieve Erkenning" (collective recognition): following the Backpay scheme of 2015, the government decided to secure the importance of the history of the Dutch East Indies for the future, and created a meeting place with museum and knowledge functions for this purpose. The house was established as such a place in 2017 and opened by King Willem-Alexander in June 2019.

The Sophiahof houses the Indisch Herinneringscentrum, Museum Maluku and the Nationale Herdenking 15 augustus 1945; the Pelita Foundation maintains an office here and the Indisch Platform uses the rooms. The Indisch Herinneringscentrum is one of the five national remembrance centres of the Second World War and sheds light on the war in Southeast Asia and the decolonisation of the Dutch East Indies and Indonesia. Its Kenniscentrum on the first floor is the point of contact for research into family history and roots.

The semi-permanent exhibition ONS LAND – Dekolonisatie, generaties, verhalen has shown Dutch colonial history in Asia and its after-effects since 2023. Its core is the voices of eight families, leading from the present back into the colonial period and back again to the present. Around two million people in the Netherlands have a connection to the former Dutch East Indies.

Highlights

• ONS LAND: eight family stories on the colonial era and decolonisation
• Kenniscentrum of the Indisch Herinneringscentrum for family and roots research
• Museum Maluku and Indisch organisations under one roof
• Museum café with spekkoek, lemper and spring rolls, plus museum shop
• Audio tour for young people on the permanent exhibition

Permanent exhibition

• ONS LAND – Dekolonisatie, generaties, verhalen – Semi-permanent exhibition on Dutch colonial history in Asia: eyewitnesses and descendants tell their stories, with eight family stories at its core.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Stichting Beheer Sophiahof

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Museumkaart and for Friends of Museum Maluku and the Indisch Herinneringscentrum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Lift, accessible toilet and wheelchair for loan available; two disabled parking spaces in the museum car park, reservation at least 48 hours in advance by email or telephone. Otherwise dogs are not allowed, but certified assistance dogs on a lead are.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly

Children up to age 12 have free admission; prams and buggies are allowed in the museum.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum café with coffee, spekkoek, lemper, spring rolls and martabak; museum shop with literature, children's books, games, batik and kimonos. Food and drink brought from outside are not allowed. Lockers in the cloakroom for coats, umbrellas and backpacks.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The museum café, the Sophiazaal (largest room), the Willemszaal (workshops and talks for up to 20 people) and the Alexanderzaal (meetings for up to 12 people) can be hired.

Plan your visit