Ruurd Wiersma Museum

About the museum

Ruurd Wiersma was a milk-route driver who collected the farmers' milk cans by boat. In 1964, he moved into two small workers' houses on the Dokkumer Ee in Burdaard, where he lived until his death. The following year, his oil stove exploded and covered the walls with soot, so he whitewashed everything. The bare surfaces bothered him, so he bought brushes and small pots of bicycle paint and began to paint. For more than five years, he covered the living room walls with the "Four Seasons"; the kitchen wall and cupboards were not spared either.

Wiersma died on December 15, 1980. On December 7, 1981, the Stichting Fries Museum and the Dorfverein Burdaard (Burdaard village association) founded a foundation to preserve his house and work. After restoration, the museum officially opened on May 21, 1983. In 2018, the state recognized the painted interior as cultural heritage.

Today, the house can be visited almost as Wiersma left it. The collection includes around 55 paintings, each of which tells a story or depicts a village event, such as the inauguration of Queen Beatrix, a wedding, circus scenes, biblical scenes and a well-known picture of the Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour). There are also painted everyday objects such as bottles, shoes, coal buckets, milk cans and a cuckoo clock. A visit includes a guided tour of about one hour.

Highlights

• Fully painted living room with the "Four Seasons"
• Around 55 paintings, including the picture of the Elfstedentocht
• Painted everyday objects such as bottles, shoes and milk cans
• Guided tour of about one hour included in admission
• Interior recognized as cultural heritage since 2018

Permanent exhibition

• Das Wohnhaus von Ruurd Wiersma – The fully painted living room with the "Four Seasons," the kitchen, paintings and painted household objects by the naive painter.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Stichting Ruurd Wiersma

Admission & discounts

The Dutch Museumkaart is not valid here. The guided tour (about 1 hour) is included in the admission. Payment is preferably contactless by card.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

From Groningen, Drachten and Leeuwarden via the N351 (Lauwersseewei), take the Burdaard exit between Aldtsjerk and Rinsumageest; from the Leeuwarden–Holwerd route, take the Ferwert exit. Burdaard lies on the Elfstedenfietsroute (junction point 12 nearby) and on the Dokkumer Ee; the boat landing is at Mounewei 7, next to the De Zwaluw mill.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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Plan your visit