Philips Museum

About the museum

The Philips Museum is located in the Philips Fabriekje on Emmasingel, the place where Gerard Philips began producing carbon filament lamps in 1891. From this small business grew one of the world's major electronics companies. The building, a Rijksmonument dating from 1888, was used over time as a light demonstration centre and as the company's archive site, among other things.

As early as 1993, a first small museum opened in the front part of the Fabriekje, recreating the lamp production of 1891. The present Philips Museum opened in 2013 and tells the company's history and the development of light with many hands-on stations. Around 100 volunteers, often former Philips employees, are active in the building.

The permanent exhibition leads through the history of the company and its inventions up to current topics; changing exhibitions and activities complement it. Visitors can also watch in the reconstructed Fabriekje how carbon filament lamps were made by hand over 130 years ago. A free audio tour in eight languages accompanies the tour.

Highlights

• Reconstruction of the 1891 carbon filament lamp production in the original factory building
• 135 years of Philips innovation in the permanent exhibition
• Free audio tour in eight languages, also in plain language
• Lampjes Speurtocht (lamp treasure hunt) and Mission Eureka for children and families
• Museum café with drinks from the Philips Fruittuin

Permanent exhibitions

• Vaste tentoonstelling – 135 Jahre Philips – Using interactive stations, the permanent exhibition shows how a small light bulb factory became a globally active company, putting the company's inventions at the centre.
• Philips Gloeilampenfabriekje anno 1891 – In the original building of the first factory, visitors can follow how carbon filament lamps were made by hand, step by step.

Founded

2013

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. (not during nationwide school holidays and not for groups of 10 or more)

Prices include the audio tour. Free with Museumkaart (the museum does not sell the Museumkaart); the VriendenLoterij VIP card is not valid. Philips employees with a badge plus one companion free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

According to its website, the museum is easily accessible; there is a lift and an accessible toilet. A wheelchair is available (please reserve in advance at +31 40 235 9030). The audio tour is also available in Dutch in plain language (NT2). The service "Het Philips Museum komt naar je toe" is aimed at care homes and senior residences.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The "Lampjes Speurtocht" is included in the children's ticket; every day there is also the game "Mission Eureka" for teams of two to four people. Workshops take place during holidays and on special event days (e.g. Lampjes Maken, Museum Kids Factory, Mad Science, AI for Kids). Prams are not permitted in the museum, but buggies are.

Getting there & parking

The museum recommends arriving by bicycle: bicycle racks on the north side on Emmasingel, supervised bicycle station at 18 Septemberplein (approx. 5 minutes). Coaches may only drop off and pick up passengers in the right-hand lane of Emmasingel.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum café with coffee, tea and juice from the Philips Fruittuin as well as pastries, filled rolls and tostis (during opening hours; outside food is not permitted in the museum). Museum shop in the building and as a web shop. Backpacks, umbrellas and larger bags must be placed in the lockers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 65 guests.

"De Vest" room (from meetings for 10–20 people to a seminar for 65 people, Wi-Fi and equipment included, museum visit included in the price); museum café and exhibition space for receptions, lunches, borrels, walking dinners; team building (Studio Philips Museum, Mission Eureka); exclusive opening in the evening and on Mondays on request.

Plan your visit