Museum Stad Appingedam

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1942 on the initiative of the Appingedam lawyer and local politician A. T. Vos as the "Gewestelijk Historisch Museum Appingedam" and opened in 1953 on Oude Kerkstraat. Later it was housed in Huis Blankenstein; in 1998 it moved to Wijkstraat, opposite the town hall and the Nicolaïkerk. It is run by the Stichting Museum Stad Appingedam, which aims to collect and show evidence of the history of the province of Groningen (excluding the city of Groningen) and especially of the Fivelingo quarter.

The museum consists of two connected buildings on Wijkstraat and Dijkstraat. The core is a 13th-century stone house that was joined to a neighbouring house in the 15th century; the roof structure dates from around 1558. The building is thus itself part of the story: period rooms of the 17th and 19th centuries, a medieval cellar and a reconstructed coppersmith's workshop, the Houwerzijlkelder, complement the collection.

The museum is known for its silver collection. Appingedam had its own silversmiths' guild, whose pieces are among the highlights, including an ostrich egg goblet from 1701 and a silver parrot bird of the shooting guild. In a redesign from the end of 2024 the permanent exhibition was renewed, with an interactive table, touchscreens, a children's rally and a room "MSA Jouw Museum" in which residents help shape exhibitions themselves.

Highlights

• Silver collection of the Appingedam guild, including an ostrich egg goblet from 1701
• Period rooms of the 17th and 19th centuries
• Medieval cellar and reconstructed coppersmith's workshop
• Photo exhibition "Man/Vrouw in Werkplaats" by Otto Kalkhoven
• Children's rally and hands-on stations

Permanent exhibitions

• Zilvercollectie – Silver from the Appingedam guild and from Groningen, including brandy bowls, spoons and purse frames as well as the ostrich egg goblet of 1701 and the shooters' silver parrot bird.
• Stijlkamers – Period rooms of the 17th and 19th centuries as well as the Great Hall with town weighing scales, traditional costumes, personal objects and archaeological finds form the historical backdrop of the collection.
• Middeleeuwse kelder en Houwerzijlkelder – The cellar of the 13th-century stone house and the reconstructed coppersmith's workshop of Pieter Tij Houwerzijl, complemented by the photo exhibition "Man/Vrouw in Werkplaats".

Founded

1942

Operated by

Stichting Museum Stad Appingedam

Visitors per year

approx. 6,800

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart and Rembrandtkaart.

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

The second exhibition room "MSA Jouw Museum" on the first attic floor can only be reached by stairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Interactive game with a tracking tour for children; in the coppersmith's workshop children can strike a small plate themselves, and in the medieval cellar there is a playful activity. Witch parties are also offered for groups.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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