Huis Willet-Holthuysen

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The double mansion on the Herengracht was built in 1685–1687 for Jacob Hop, the Grand Pensionary of the city of Amsterdam; around 1739 it received its current Louis XIV-style facade. In the 18th century it was home to wealthy banking and merchant families, including Willem Deutz and Fredrik Berewout, whose fortunes were closely tied to plantations in Suriname and the labor of enslaved people.

In the 19th century the house was occupied by the couple Abraham Willet (1828–1888) and Louisa Holthuysen (1824–1895). They collected paintings, silver, porcelain, glass and furniture and had the rooms lavishly decorated to their own taste – even then intended as a reminder of a romanticized past. After Louisa's death in 1895, the house and its contents passed to the city of Amsterdam on the condition that it be turned into a museum bearing their name.

The museum opened shortly afterwards; it was closed from 1939 to 1950. Since 1962 it has been affiliated with today's Amsterdam Museum, which runs it as one of its locations. In 1972 the garden behind the house was relaid symmetrically in the French style, and in 2022 the house was renamed “Huis Willet-Holthuysen”. Alongside the period rooms, it regularly presents interventions by artists and guest curators, each highlighting a different aspect of the house's history.

Highlights

• 19th-century period rooms with a ballroom and monumental staircase
• Art and decorative arts collection of Abraham Willet and Louisa Holthuysen
• Historic kitchen in the basement
• Symmetrical French-style canal garden
• Changing interventions by contemporary artists on the history of the house

Permanent exhibitions

• Huis Willet-Holthuysen – Tour of the furnished living and reception rooms, kitchen and garden of the canal house, with the collection of the Willet-Holthuysen couple.

Founded

1895

Operated by

Amsterdam Museum

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart; also free with an ICOM card, Stadspas, VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART, I amsterdam City Card and for members of the Vereniging Rembrandt.

Accessibility

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

Because of its many stairs and lack of an elevator, the listed house is not accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters; stairs have handrails, no ramps. Personal assistants free, Sunflower lanyard recognized. No low-sensory hours or quiet rooms. Waterlooplein metro station has an elevator only at the Stopera exit.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Free activity booklet “Sammie vertelt” for children aged 6 and up (Dutch/English) at the ticket desk: Sammie the dog leads the way through the rooms and the garden. Children up to age 17 are admitted free.

Getting there & parking

In front of the house (Herengracht 605) there is a public landing stage where canal tour boats can drop off museum visitors.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit