Museum Warkums Erfskip

About the museum

The museum is run by the heritage society Warkums Erfskip, founded on 27 December 1951. It was first housed in the former orphanage and later moved into the upper hall of the Waag when the library left it. In 2016/2017 the building was completely renovated; the concept "Beleef Workum vanuit de Waag" (Experience Workum from the Waag) uses models, stories and multimedia and makes the museum the starting point for a walk through the town.

The Waag on the Merk market square at Merk 4 recalls the time when Workum, which received its town charter in 1399, was an important centre of maritime trade and shipping. In 1504 the Workum ell (70.9 cm) even became the standard measure for all of Friesland, until the Amsterdam ell replaced it. The ticket gives access to the upper floor and to the former town hall on the other side of the square, where exhibitions about Workum are shown. A tourist information office is located on the ground floor.

In the attic, an audio exhibition tells the story of the Workum merchant skipper Huijte Fookles: in December 1777 he was caught in a storm and ran aground near Soulac in France. A letter from his shipowner was discovered a few years ago in the National Archives in London; the story was featured in the KRO programme "Brieven boven water". Around 300 letters and notes by the skipper have survived.

Highlights

• Historic Waag and town hall on Workum's market square
• Models, stories and multimedia on the town's history
• Attic exhibition on the merchant skipper Huijte Fookles with an audio story
• The Workum ell as Frisian standard measure from 1504
• Tourist information office on the ground floor

Permanent exhibitions

• Beleef Workum vanuit de Waag – The history of Workum with models, stories and multimedia in the Waag and town hall.
• Kofschiffer Huijte Fookles – Attic exhibition with an audio story, objects and pictures about the 18th-century Workum skipper and his surviving letters.

Operated by

Oudheidkundige Vereniging Warkums Erfskip

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Museumkaart and for members of the society (membership from €5 per year, valid for two people). Tickets are available at the Waag.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• 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

There is no lift in the town hall; you have to climb two flights of stairs. An accessible toilet is available.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Waag stands on the Merk market square in the centre of Workum.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop available; a tourist information office is located on the ground floor of the Waag.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit