Pieter Vermeulen Museum

About the museum

The Pieter Vermeulen Museum goes back to a donation made in 1952: Frits Vermeulen gave his father's natural history collection to the people of Velsen. He attached two conditions to it: the collection should benefit young people above all, and the museum should bear his father's name. Pieter Vermeulen (1843–1922) had come to Velsen as a head teacher and taught the children of the canal workers there for decades. The museum was officially opened in 1954 and has been open to visitors since March 1955; it was initially housed in a wing of the cultural centre at Moerbergplantsoen in IJmuiden.

Later the museum was located on the edge of Driehuis. It has since moved into a newly built, considerably larger building on Doorneberglaan in IJmuiden and has been completely refitted. Since 1998 it has held the official museum status of the Stichting Museumregister Nederland; operations are carried by around 80 volunteers.

At its centre is the collection of more than 20,000 objects, ranging from shell collections to preserved specimens of fox and roe deer, and focusing on the nature of Kennemerland. The permanent exhibition uses five thematic areas to tell of the tension between people, nature and the economy: the origin of the region, new species in nature, human influence, people and water, and people and energy. A large storage facility is opened to visitors regularly.

Highlights

• Interactive permanent exhibition on nature, water and energy in Kennemerland
• Collection of over 20,000 objects, from shells to mammal specimens
• Large storage facility that opens to visitors regularly
• Games and rallies for children, café corner in the building
• Officially accredited museum since 1998

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung: Mensch, Natur und Wirtschaft in Kennemerland – Five thematic areas tell of the origin of the region, new species, human influence, and water and energy.
• Vaste collectie und Depot – Part of the more than 20,000 objects is on display; the large storage facility opens to visitors regularly.

Founded

1952

Admission & discounts

Tickets are available at the desk; no reservation is necessary. Free admission with Museumkaart; please show the Museumkaart Junior as a physical card (screenshots and photos are not accepted). Payment by card or contactless only. Prices exclude additional activities; accompanying adults of school classes have free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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 museum is wheelchair accessible; all rooms are also accessible to people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Interactive exhibition that appeals to all the senses; games and rallies for different age groups. Regular creative workshops for children and adults, and on the fourth Sunday of every month microscope sessions with plant and animal specimens.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in a residential neighbourhood.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café corner ("koffiecorner") in the museum and a museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Spacious meeting room that is also rented out to external hirers.

Plan your visit