Museum aan de A

About the museum

The museum goes back to the Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum (Northern Maritime Museum). Three influential Groningen residents founded the sponsoring association on January 10, 1930, to preserve the heritage of northern sailing shipping and wooden shipbuilding; from May 1932 the collection was displayed in the Goudkantoor on the Waagplein. When the north wall of the Grote Markt caught fire in April 1945, almost the entire collection burned; only one ship model survived, and a new collection was then begun. In the 1970s the museum moved into two buildings on the Brugstraat.

These two houses, the Gotisch Huis (Gothic House) and the Canterhuis, are among the oldest stone houses in Groningen and date from the early 14th century. They were restored in the 1970s and early 1980s: the Gothic House with a restrained, conservation-minded approach, the Canterhuis by returning it to earlier states. The museum also includes the museum ship PW17/Emma from 1922, which has offered trips for visitors since 2011.

In 2020 the association dissolved and was succeeded by the Stiftung Museum aan de A. Since then the house has told the history of the city and province of Groningen, and no longer only of shipping. Both houses are being converted, made more accessible and designed more sustainably. The permanent presentation is being newly created as a series of thematic "worlds" (for example on peat, grain and gas, on the city and its surroundings, and on war and conflict). A new building for special exhibitions is to be completed in 2028. Until reopening, the collection and the house are not accessible; the museum holds exhibitions and events at other locations in the city and province.

Highlights

• Gotisch Huis and Canterhuis: the oldest stone houses in Groningen (14th century)
• In future around ten thematic "worlds" on the history of the city and province of Groningen
• Museum ship PW17/Emma (built 1922) with excursion trips
• Collection of maritime paintings, prints and ship models

Founded

1930

Operated by

Stichting Museum aan de A

Admission & discounts

The museum is closed for renovation; according to the museum, reopening is planned for the end of 2027.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

As part of the renovation, the two historic houses are to be made more accessible. On the museum ship Emma, the salon level is reachable only via a narrow, steep staircase.

Kids & families

The museum is closed for renovation; according to the museum, reopening is planned for the end of 2027.

Getting there & parking

The museum is closed for renovation; according to the museum, reopening is planned for the end of 2027.

Amenities & dining

The museum is closed for renovation; according to the museum, reopening is planned for the end of 2027.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 10 guests.

The museum ship PW17/Emma is rented for private trips and meetings on the water (max. 10 passengers, €80 per hour); inquiries to emma@museumaandea.nl. The museum building itself cannot be used due to the renovation.

Plan your visit