Museum Schokland

Current exhibitions

About the museum

For centuries, Schokland was a narrow island in the Zuiderzee, repeatedly threatened by storm surges. Because land was being lost bit by bit, the state ordered its evacuation in 1859. With the draining of the Noordoostpolder, the former island became part of the mainland in 1942, and numerous archaeological finds came to light during the works.

The museum was founded in 1947 in the Enserkerk of 1834 on the Middelbuurt, one of the island's old dwelling mounds. At first it displayed finds from the new IJsselmeer polders; it was built up and long directed by the archaeologist Gerrit van der Heide. It is considered the oldest museum in the province of Flevoland. Later, wooden houses in Zuiderzee style, a reconstructed pile barrier against the water and other structures were added to the roughly one-hectare site.

In 1995, Schokland and its surroundings became the first Dutch site to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List; since then the museum has also served as the World Heritage information center. Today it is part of the Cultuurbedrijf Noordoostpolder.

The collections cover archaeology, history, some artworks and above all geology: thousands of glacial erratics and Scandinavian rocks, including the private collections of amateur geologists Pieter van der Lijn and Bernhard Boelens. The objects are on loan from the municipality of Noordoostpolder.

Highlights

• Footprints around 4,000 years old, among the oldest in Western Europe
• Enserkerk from 1834 as the museum church (Rijksmonument)
• Remains of pile barriers, dikes and water cellars from the island era
• The largest museum study collection of Scandinavian rocks in the Netherlands
• Lichtwachterswoning (lighthouse keeper's house) from 1901 at the harbor of Oud-Emmeloord

Permanent exhibitions

• Leven met water – Permanent exhibition on the formation of the island since the penultimate ice age and 10,000 years of habitation, documented by archaeological finds, maps and everyday objects.

Founded

1947

Operated by

Stichting Cultuurbedrijf Noordoostpolder

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart and VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART (one card per person; when reserving online, show the card during your visit), and for Vrienden van Schokland (friends of the museum). Online reservation recommended. Bike rental at the museum €3.50 per bike per hour.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: not available

The museum shop, restaurant and permanent exhibition are easily accessible with a wheelchair or rollator; the outdoor grounds only partially. One loaner wheelchair and one loaner rollator free of charge. One adapted restroom by the museum shop. Exhibition bilingual (Dutch/English), text booklet at the desk also in German and French; film in Dutch or English without subtitles. Currently no special offerings for visually or hearing-impaired guests and no low-stimulus program; please get in touch in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Children test their knowledge of ice age animals, take a close look at a shipworm, work as an archaeologist or dike builder and shape their own landscapes in the interactive sandbox. Museum characters Wollie (a mammoth) and Bollie (a glacial erratic) guide them through the ice age; treasure hunts and quiz trails. Outdoors, natural play features for climbing, swinging and water play; children's afternoons in summer.

Getting there & parking

From the N50, exit 33 (Schokland/Nagele/Urk), or from the A6, exit 13 (Schokland/Nagele), then follow the signs for Schokland. GPS address: Middelbuurt 3, 8319 AB Ens or Schokland. Additional parking at Oud-Emmeloord (Lichtwachterswoning) and on the Palenweg (Zuidpunt ruin).

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant Schokland on the museum grounds (coffee with homemade "Schokkerbrok," lunch, children's menu): April–October Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, July/August daily 10:00–18:00, November–March Tue–Sun 11:00–17:00.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 80 guests.

Weddings in the 1834 museum church (up to 80 people), also in the evening after closing; meetings in the museum church, in the "Stenenzolder" (stone loft) among the rock collection or in the Lichtwachterswoning (meetings up to 16, lectures up to 30, parties up to 50 people); catering by Restaurant Schokland. Weddings: trouwen@museumschokland.nl.

Plan your visit