Museum van de Twintigste Eeuw
Nostalgia museum in the former prison on the Oostereiland in Hoorn with living rooms, shops, toys and technology of the 20th century.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum shows everyday culture from 1900 to around 1980: reconstructed living rooms, kitchens, a classroom, office and communication technology and lots of toys. It opened in April 1994 and was initially housed until October 2011 in two former cheese warehouses on the Bierkade in Hoorn, which are protected as Rijksmonumenten.
After the restoration of the former prison "De Krententuin" on the Oostereiland, a peninsula in Hoorn's harbour, the museum moved there. This building is also a Rijksmonument. Around 120 volunteers and a few permanent staff keep the museum running.
The permanent exhibition thrives on recognition: visitors discover the furnishings of their (grand)parents, a small shopping street with old advertising signs, scales and cash registers, a hall full of toys from Barbie to Sesame Street to LEGO and a room with old telephones, computers, radios and televisions. In addition there are exhibitions that change several times a year, some of which are aimed specifically at children. An online "Open Depot" can be browsed.
Highlights
- Reconstructed living rooms and kitchens of the 20th century
- Shopping street with old shops
- Toy hall with Barbie, LEGO and Sesame Street
- Communication hall with telephones, radios and computers
- Free puzzle rally and audio tour for children
- Online depot of the collection
Permanent exhibitions
- Interieurs und Ladenstraße des 20. Jahrhunderts – Furnished living spaces, kitchens, a classroom and a small shopping street let visitors recognise the everyday life of past decades.
- Spielzeugsaal – Toys from Barbie to Sesame Street to LEGO.
- Kommunikationssaal – Old telephones, computers, radios and televisions show how people reached each other before the mobile phone.
- Founded
- 1994
- Operated by
- Stichting Museum van de Twintigste Eeuw
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €11 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Children aged 4 to 16 and CJP holders |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 to 16 €6. |
| Groups (20+ people) | –20% group discount for 20 or more full-paying people with central billing. School classes €3 per pupil, accompanying adults free. |
Free with Museumkaart, the VriendenLoterij VIP card and the HoornPas of the municipality of Hoorn.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
All exhibition rooms are accessible by wheelchair and mobility scooter; there is a lift, wide paths and a loan wheelchair (please reserve by phone). Four disabled parking spaces are located directly behind the bridge to the Oostereiland. Leashed, house-trained dogs are allowed.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
Explicitly child-friendly: free puzzle rally and audio tour for children, toy hall, a LEGO building corner next to the MuseumCafé and a DUPLO corner for the little ones; children's activities and workshops are often offered during school holidays.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Hoorn CS · 20-min walk
Take the train to Hoorn CS; from there it is about a 15–20 minute walk through the old town (follow the "Museum van de 20e Eeuw" signs) or take the museum's free electric shuttle bus (8 seats, request by phone during opening hours).
By car
Free parking · 15-min walk to the entrance
Parking directly at the museum is only allowed with a disabled parking permit. Free parking is available at the De Nieuwe Wal car park (signposted "P-HAVENS", sat nav: 1621 MB), about a 15-minute walk from there or take the shuttle bus.
- Accessible parking
Take exit Hoorn off the A7, then follow the blue ANWB signs "HAVENS". Coaches cannot drive up to the museum and drop passengers off about 300–400 metres away.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
MuseumCafé with coffee, tea, pastries and sandwiches (for groups of up to 80 people), museum shop; free cloakroom and lockers.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A free audio tour and a puzzle rally are available for children. School programmes ("Wat is er mis?" for years 7–8, "Beleef de 20e Eeuw" for years 1–6 of primary school, about two hours) must be booked at least three weeks in advance. |
