Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Because large parts of Friesland were repeatedly flooded in winter during the 19th and early 20th centuries, and windmills and sluices could no longer cope with the excess water, plans were developed from 1913 onward for a large steam pumping station on the shore of what was then the Zuiderzee near Lemmer. Dirk Frederik Wouda, chief engineer of the provincial water management authority, designed the building in 1917/18 in a sober, traditional style with echoes of Rationalism. On October 7, 1920, Queen Wilhelmina put the station into operation.

Four large steam engines drive eight centrifugal pumps that move water from the Frisian waterway network into what is now the IJsselmeer. Initially the boilers were fired with coal, later with peat, and since 1967 with heavy fuel oil. Since the electric Hooglandgemaal in Stavoren was built in 1967, the pumping station only steps in during extreme high water – but it is still ready for use today and is maintained by the water board Wetterskip Fryslân. In 1947 it was named after its designer.

The building, with its distinctive chimney about 60 meters tall, has been a listed monument since 1977 and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998 as a technical masterpiece of hydraulic engineering. In 2011 a modern visitor center opened next door with an interactive exhibition on Frisian water management and climate change. From there, volunteer guides lead tours through the engine hall and boiler house; on a few days each year the pumping station runs under steam for practice purposes.

Highlights

• Engine hall with four large steam engines, often called the “Cathedral of Steam”
• Guided tour of the engine hall and boiler house included in the ticket
• Interactive exhibition on water management and climate change with VR headset
• Panorama room overlooking the IJsselmeer and the bay of Lemmer
• Steam days when the pumping station runs under steam
• Blacksmithing workshops in the Gemaalsmederij

Permanent exhibitions

• Interaktive Ausstellung im Besucherzentrum – The exhibition explains Frisian water management and the consequences of climate change; with a puzzle table, VR headset and screening room.

Operated by

Stichting Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal (Eigentümer des Schöpfwerks: Wetterskip Fryslân)

Admission & discounts

The Museumkaart is not valid here. The ticket includes a guided tour and the multimedia tour. €1 discount with a library card (one person per card). Anyone who also visits the Fries Museum within two months gets a 20% discount on presentation of the ticket. Online tickets are currently not available; tickets are sold at the ticket desk; no bills of €100 or more, card payment possible.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

According to the museum, the visitor center and pumping station are accessible to wheelchair users. Accessible parking spaces on site opposite the visitor center. Dogs are not allowed, except for assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children solve a quest in the museum about chief engineer Jelle and then receive a diploma as an assistant engineer. Interactive exhibition with puzzle table and VR headset; during the holidays there are activities such as story-reading and craft days, plus blacksmithing workshops for children ages 6 and up.

Getting there & parking

The pumping station is located just outside Lemmer on provincial road N359 (toward Balk), right on the IJsselmeer.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Coffee and tea served in the glass-walled panorama room overlooking the IJsselmeer (drinks, pastries). “Woudagemaal lunchtas” lunch bag for a picnic in the area (€17.25). Shop with books, souvenirs and model steam engines. Two nature trails around the pumping station.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

Panorama room for 15–100 people (conferences from November to March, Mon–Wed by arrangement), “’t Stoomlokaal” in a former staff residence for 5–20 people year-round. Official wedding venue of the municipality of Friese Meren; also family days and custom packages.

Plan your visit