Purmerends Museum

About the museum

The Purmerends Museum was founded in 1942 as the Oudheidkamer Purmerend and has borne its present name since 1946. It is housed in the town's former town hall on the Kaasmarkt, built in 1912 to plans by the architect Jan Stuyt, who worked in Purmerend. In the neighbouring building at Peperstraat 35 are the VVV tourist information office and the museum shop, which since 2020 can also be reached through the museum.

The museum is best known for its Art Nouveau ceramics: between 1895 and 1907 Purmerend was a centre of factory-scale production of decorative ceramics. Potteries such as Brantjes, Haga, Vet and Huisenga made vases, figurines, tile pictures and tableware to designs by designers such as August Falise, Chris Lanooy and Chris van der Hoef. The museum also shows early works by the architects J.J.P. Oud and Mart Stam, both born in Purmerend, as well as works by the graphic designer Jac. Jongert, who among other things designed the house style for Van Nelle.

The city history display was most recently renewed extensively: in 2018 a new entrance area and a new ceramics hall were created, and in 2023 the permanent exhibition on the upper floor was redesigned. Three consecutive rooms tell the story from the fishing village between the lakes, through the market town (market rights since 1484, famous cattle market), to the growing municipality; they include a film projection, a "Beleef de Markt" room and an open storage area with stories from the collection.

Highlights

• Largest collection of Purmerend Art Nouveau ceramics (1895–1907)
• Redesigned city history from fishing village to market town (2023)
• Experience room on the history of the Purmerend cattle market and open storage
• Early works by the architects J.J.P. Oud and Mart Stam and by Jac. Jongert
• Museum shop with VVV information point in the neighbouring building

Permanent exhibitions

• Von Fischerdorf und Marktstadt zur Wachstumsgemeinde – Redesigned city history across three rooms: urban development, markets and an open storage area with stories from the collection.
• Purmerender Jugendstil-Keramik – Vases, bowls and figurines from the Purmerend potteries of 1895 to 1907 in the redesigned ceramics hall.
• Oud, Stam und Jongert – Early works by the architects J.J.P. Oud and Mart Stam, born in Purmerend, and by the graphic designer Jac. Jongert.

Founded

1942

Operated by

Stichting Purmerends Museum

Admission & discounts

Prices as of 1 January 2026. Free admission with the Museumkaart, ICOM card, Rembrandtkaart and for Friends of the Museum; the VIP card of the VriendenLoterij is not valid. Members and donors of the Kunstcollectief Purmerend receive a 50% discount.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

According to the operator, the museum is fully wheelchair accessible: a lift, a loan wheelchair and an accessible toilet are available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Children and young people up to age 17 have free admission; educational programme for primary schools.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the middle of the old town at Kaasmarkt 20. Public transport connections can be planned at 9292.nl.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop and VVV in the neighbouring building at Peperstraat 35 (also reachable through the museum) with local products, books, maps and cycling and hiking routes.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 60 guests.

Wedding hall on the first floor with around 60 chairs (no tables), projector and screen for presentations, meetings or lectures. Outside opening hours the entire museum can be hired for receptions; prices on request.

Plan your visit