Museum de Schilpen
Village museum in Maasland in a national monument, with an original grocery shop from around 1900, a residence, a textile floor and free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum grew out of a general store in the center of Maasland that had been a familiar sight for more than 150 years. When the grocer Johan van den Berg, known in the village as Han Berg, closed the shop in 1980, residents wanted to preserve this special place. The Stiftung De Schilpen was founded in 1981, and the house has been a museum since 1985. The name recalls the small mussel-shell square in front of the building.
The oldest parts of the residence date from the 16th century; the facade was renovated later. The museum includes the shop with the residence, an adjoining warehouse and a reindeer house; the ensemble is a national monument. In 2013 it was extended at the back with an inner courtyard, which connects the museum to the former banquet hall Tavenu from 1905.
Visitors see the shop as it looked around 1900, where nostalgic sweets are still sold, and behind it the living rooms and a kitchen with stove, pump and original cupboard wall. In the attic lie tools used by the region's farmers and gardeners, as well as a maid's room. The textile floor shows children's clothing, dresses and linens in changing themes. In the cellar stand dairy-processing devices. The Maeslantkamer tells the village history of Maasland. The museum holds more than 16,000 collection items, which can be searched online, and is run by around 70 volunteers.
Highlights
- Originally furnished grocery shop from around 1900, selling sweets
- Residence with kitchen, stove and cupboard wall
- Textile floor with changing themes and children's clothing
- Maeslantkamer on the village history of Maasland
- Free admission, donations welcome
Permanent exhibitions
- Kolonialwarenladen und Wohnhaus – The shop around 1900, with sweets for sale, and the residence with kitchen, stove and cupboard wall show how life in Maasland used to be.
- Textilboden und Maeslantkamer – The attic shows clothing and linens in changing themes; the Maeslantkamer tells the story of the village.
- Founded
- 1985
- Operated by
- Stichting De Schilpen
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Guided tour for school classes: €3.50 per child, including a sweet; the children's treasure hunt in the museum for ages 6 and up is free. |
|---|---|
| Groups (8+ people) | €6 per personGuided tour for adults, from 8 participants; smaller groups on request. |
| Guided tour through the museum (60–70 min.) | €6per person, from 8 participants, by registration |
| Village walk through Maasland (approx. 75 min.) | €6per person, 6 to 10 participants, by registration |
| Photo puzzle rally through Maasland (unaccompanied) | €5.50coffee or tea included |
| “Op de koffie” in the kitchen (group) | €45for groups of 6 to 8 people (e.g. from nursing homes); each additional person €7.50; coffee or tea and a waffle included |
| Wedding photos in the museum | €50 |
Admission is free; donations to the donation box are welcome. Coffee, tea and soft drinks cost €2.50 per drink. Payment by cash or card is possible.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- 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
The historic house has several floors, attics and a cellar, so not all rooms are accessible to wheelchair users. A stairlift is available; the shop and the first floor are usually easy to visit. For people with limited mobility, there is an adapted tour on the first floor.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
A free treasure hunt for children aged 6 and up, children's tours for school classes, and the sweet shop make the visit appealing for families.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Commandeurskade
From Rotterdam, take metro line B toward Hoek van Holland Strand as far as Maassluis Centrum, then bus 33 toward Delft to the Commandeurskade stop. From Delft station, take bus 33 toward Maassluis to Commandeurskade; from there it is a short walk to the ’s-Herenstraat.
By car from Rotterdam via the A20 (exit 7, Maasland/Maassluis); from Delft via the A4 (exit Schipluiden) to Maasland; then via Huis te Veldelaan and Slot de Houvelaan to the ’s-Herenstraat.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop in the former grocery, with nostalgic sweets, gift packs, souvenirs, books, maps and plans of Maasland and Midden-Delfland. Drinks are sold for €2.50.
Events & venue rental
Wedding photos in the museum are possible for €50.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 65 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours of the museum and village walks by appointment only (phone 06 511 519 39 or rondleidingen@schilpen.nl). School classes can book a children's tour. |
