Museum Opsterlân
Local history museum in a former school of 1887 in Gorredijk on the history of Gorredijk and the municipality of Opsterland.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Museum Opsterlân is housed in a former public primary school. The foundation stone was laid on September 1, 1887; it was designed by the then municipal architect Jacobus Anthonie Meessen. Classes were taught in its classrooms until 1955; today they tell the history of Gorredijk and the municipality of Opsterland.
The permanent exhibition is divided into five timeless themes: Benefactors and Aristocracy, De Vlecke Gorredijk, Peat Extraction and Socialism, Jewish History, and Geology and Archaeology. On display are, among other things, a hand axe about 100,000 years old, the hard life of the peat worker Brechtje, the living worlds of wealthy families in Beetsterzwaag, the studio of the Gorredijk silversmiths and the "socialist" print shop of Geert Lourens van der Zwaag. A further section commemorates Esther Colthof and the Jewish community in Gorredijk.
The museum organizes temporary exhibitions, lectures and workshops, runs a digital archive (Popma Archive) with open archive afternoons, and also serves as a Toeristisch Informatiepunt (tourist information point) for southeast Friesland. A visit combines well with other destinations in southeast Friesland. For schools, the team develops tailor-made programs on request that combine the transfer of knowledge with interactive elements.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition on five themes from prehistory to peat extraction
- Hand axe about 100,000 years old
- Living worlds of the wealthy families of Beetsterzwaag
- Print shop and silversmiths from Gorredijk
- Jewish history in Gorredijk and the Popma Archive
Permanent exhibition
- Dauerausstellung: fünf zeitlose Themen – Benefactors and Aristocracy, De Vlecke Gorredijk, Peat Extraction and Socialism, Jewish History, and Geology and Archaeology.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Children aged 4 to 12 (young people aged 13 to 17 and CJP holders pay €6) |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 to 12 €4, young people aged 13 to 17 and CJP holders €6, free up to age 3. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6 per personPer person from 10 people. |
Free admission for Friends of the museum and with Museumkaart.
Accessibility
- 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
According to the website, the museum is fully wheelchair accessible.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stationsweg / Hoofdstraat
Bus lines 20 and 21 from Heerenveen, Drachten and Leeuwarden, stop Stationsweg or Hoofdstraat.
By car
Parking available
Parkeerplaats Markt (Market car park) in the village center at the back of the museum.
By car, follow the signs "Gorredijk Centrum".
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum is also a Toeristisch Informatiepunt (tourist information point) with information, maps, brochures and souvenirs on southeast Friesland.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guides accompany visitors through Gorredijk by arrangement (inquiries to coordinator@museumopsterlan.nl, as early as possible); educational programs for primary and secondary schools are tailored individually. |
