Miramar Zeemuseum

About the museum

The Miramar Zeemuseum goes back to Jeanne Warners, who found a murex shell on a beach in Mallorca in 1955 and then began collecting shells. After travelling to more than eighty countries, she brought back suitcases full of shells, sea creatures and other finds. In 1956 she founded a museum for this collection in Oosterbeek, where she was living at the time.

Since 1966 the museum has been in Vledder in the municipality of Westerveld, where Warners lived above the museum. In 1984 the supporting association Stichting Miramar Zeemuseum was founded; today the museum is run exclusively by volunteers, is a registered museum and a member of the Nederlandse Museumvereniging (Dutch Museums Association). It sees itself as the only natural history museum in Drenthe.

The permanent exhibition tells the life story of the unconventional collector and shows shells, fish, crabs, starfish and sea urchins in a cabinet of curiosities. Also on display are a reconstruction of her study with original furniture, clothing, diaries, passports and letters, as well as the stuffed monkey Kabouter, a gift from the island of Bioko. Since 2019 the museum has cooperated with the Museum Valse Kunst and the OERmuseum in Diever as the "Schatkamers van Zuidwest-Drenthe" (Treasure Chambers of Southwest Drenthe).

Highlights

• Collection of shells, corals, crabs and marine animals from over 80 countries
• Cabinet of curiosities (Rariteitenkabinet) with fish, starfish and sea urchins
• Reconstructed study of the founder with diaries and original furniture
• ZeeLab with craft activities, plus the Walvisroute and Jutterspad in the garden
• Museum café with a terrace by the pond

Permanent exhibitions

• Koffers vol schatten uit de zee – Permanent exhibition on the life of the collector Jeanne Warners and her travels, with finds from more than 80 countries.
• Wunderkammer – Rariteitenkabinet with shells, fish, crabs, starfish and sea urchins from Warners' collection.
• Werkkamer van juffrouw Warners – Replica of her study with original furniture, clothing, diaries, passports, letters and the stuffed monkey Kabouter.

Founded

1956

Operated by

Stichting Miramar Zeemuseum

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart. The museum does not take part in the Vriendenloterij.

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

Fully wheelchair accessible, with a ramp at the entrance and an accessible toilet. Guide dogs are always welcome inside; other dogs can stay in the shade on the terrace.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Doeboekje with a puzzle trail for children, craft activities in the ZeeLab every day (additional charge €4), and extra workshops with microscopes or shell mosaics during school holidays. The Walvisroute and Jutterspad lead through the garden and woods behind the museum.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A32, exit 6 (Steenwijk, Vledder). The museum is about 700 m from the Museum De Proefkolonie in Frederiksoord.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Museum café with a terrace by the pond (also open to those not visiting the museum): organic coffee and tea, apple pie, brownies, and ice cream in summer. Museum shop with shells, jewellery, souvenirs and Wilderland tea, also accessible without admission. Free Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Enquiries about company outings and room hire via the museum management (Tuesday to Friday during office hours).

Plan your visit