Luchtoorlogmuseum Fort Veldhuis
Air war museum in a fort of the Defence Line of Amsterdam with aircraft parts, recovered finds and stories about the air war 1940–1945.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The air war museum is located in Fort bij Veldhuis on the border between Assendelft and Heemskerk. The fort was built in 1893 as part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, the defensive ring of fortresses around the capital, and was designed for several hundred soldiers. In the Second World War the German Wehrmacht used the complex as part of its coastal defences; a searchlight shed with a ramp in the front wall dates from this period. After the war the fort served for a time as an internment camp.
Since 1989 the fort has belonged to the museum of the Aircraft Recovery Group 1940-1945 foundation. The foundation consists exclusively of volunteers and has been researching the air war over the Netherlands for decades. It evaluates archives, talks to eyewitnesses and survivors of plane crashes and reconstructs events, with the personal experiences of those involved at the centre.
In the rooms of the fort the museum shows drawings, documents and personal belongings as well as aircraft engines and wreckage that the foundation recovered in its own salvage operations in North Holland. The museum is run mainly by volunteers and opens only on selected Sundays.
Highlights
- Wreckage and engines from its own aircraft recoveries
- Personal belongings and stories of airmen
- Fort from 1893 belonging to the Stelling van Amsterdam
- German searchlight shed from the Second World War
- Fort café with coffee and homemade apple pie
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Stichting Aircraft Recovery Group 1940-1945
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Veterans with a veteran's pass |
| Children & teens | €4Children up to 12 years pay €4. |
| Groups | –Price for group tours on request. |
Donors (donateurs) with a donor's pass have free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
For school classes there is a rally through the fort along the aircraft parts and points of interest.
Getting there & parking
The fort is located on the border between Assendelft and Heemskerk; address for your satnav: Genieweg 1, 1967 PS Heemskerk.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Fort café with coffee and homemade apple pie.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 50 guests.
Two meeting rooms and a presentation room for around 50 people; price by arrangement, optionally with a tour and catering.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours (up to 30 people) by arrangement only, price on request. School classes in years 7–8 of primary school and the lower years of secondary school can register by email (scholenarg@gmail.com): short presentation, exploration of the fort and a puzzle rally along the aircraft parts. |
