Molenmuseum

About the museum

After a successful exhibition by the association De Zaansche Molen in 1925, the wish for a mill museum of its own grew. It was opened on 24 May 1928 by Prince Hendrik in Koog aan de Zaan, in a house that had been relocated for a park. Later a merchant's house for temporary exhibitions was added, and in 1989 an extension for the mill panorama.

In 2019 the building in Koog aan de Zaan closed and the museum moved to Villa Kalverliefde on the Zaanse Schans, a building from 2007 shaped like a traditional Zaan wooden shed. The official opening was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Today's exhibition is a multimedia journey through three centuries of mill history and asks about trade, culture and wealth, but also about hard work, poverty and social development. On display are an 11-metre-wide panoramic painting showing the mills of Oost-Zaandam around 1800 and an interactive model with around 1,100 Zaan mills; virtual guides accompany visitors through the rooms. The upper floor has temporary exhibitions, films, a millwright's workshop, tools and models, and a view over the polder.

Highlights

• Eleven-metre-wide panoramic painting showing the mills of Oost-Zaandam around 1800
• Interactive model with around 1,100 windmills of the Zaanstreek
• Multimedia journey through time with virtual guides
• Millwright's workshop, tools and models on the upper floor
• Films for children, including on child labour in the mills
• Molenspeelerf: playground with ten pieces of equipment that explain mill technology

Permanent exhibition

• Drie eeuwen molengeschiedenis – Multimedia exhibition with a panoramic painting, an interactive mill model and virtual guides on trade, culture, wealth and the hard working life around the Zaan mills.

Founded

1928

Operated by

Vereniging De Zaansche Molen

Admission & discounts

Free with the I amsterdam City Card, VriendenLoterij VIP card, Museumkaart and for members of the association De Zaansche Molen (membership not for commercial purposes). The Museumkaart is not valid for the mills.

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

Entrance ramp, accessible toilet and lift (very large or tilting wheelchairs do not always fit). Three disabled parking spaces next to the museum, reached via the north route/Engewormer (sat nav: Kalverringdijk 30, via the polder; access via the cycle path along the mills is prohibited). A wheelchair is available at the entrance on request (balie@zaanschemolen.nl or +31 75 628 8968).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The museum shows films for children, such as "Op je klompen naar je werk" about child labour in the mills and a short film about millwrights. Next to the museum is the Molenspeelerf, opened in 2024, with ten pieces of play equipment that explain the water screw, crankshaft and other mill parts.

Getting there & parking

The Molenmuseum is on the north side of the Zaanse Schans, right on the Kalverringdijk just past the oil mill De Bonte Hen; easy to reach on foot or by bike, with a large bike rack. Sat nav address for the Schans: Schansend 7, Zaandam.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Coffee and drinks are available on the upper floor; the association's web shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit