Stoomgemaal Mastenbroek

About the museum

Between Kampen and Genemuiden, on the Veneriete drainage canal, stands the steam pumping station of the Mastenbroek polder. It was built in 1855/56 to plans by the hydraulic engineers Beijerink and Van Diggelen to keep the polder dry. The engine was supplied by the Amsterdam firm "De Atlas": a horizontal single-cylinder steam engine with a flywheel of about 16 tonnes and 7.5 metres in diameter, which drives two large paddle wheels.

In 1961 an electrically powered screw pumping station by Stork of Hengelo took over the work, and the old pumping station became redundant. Instead of demolishing it, the province, municipality and water board preserved it; later it was made operational again in a major restoration so that it could serve as a public attraction. The pumping station is a Rijksmonument (no. 16083) and was on the 1990 "Top 100" of Dutch heritage conservation. Of the roughly 700 steam pumping stations once in the country, only 23 remain.

Today the Oude Stoomgemaal Mastenbroek Foundation runs the site together with volunteers. The visitor centre of 1999 offers a view across the polder towards Zwolle; on steam days volunteers explain the boiler, steam engine and drive, and show films and a presentation on water management in the Mastenbroek polder.

Highlights

• Steam pumping station of 1856 with original steam engine by "De Atlas"
• Flywheel 7.5 m in diameter and two paddle wheels
• Rijksmonument no. 16083, part of the 1990 Top 100 of heritage conservation
• Steam days with tours by volunteers, films and a presentation
• Visitor centre with a view over the Mastenbroek polder

Permanent exhibitions

• Dampfpumpwerk von 1856 – Original steam engine with flywheel, gear transmission, two paddle wheels and boiler house, explaining how water was lifted out of the polder.
• Wasserwirtschaft im Mastenbroek-Polder – Films and a presentation in the visitor centre on the origins of the polder and the technology of drainage.

Operated by

Stichting Oude Stoomgemaal Mastenbroek

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission; a small donation is requested.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Because of the stairs in the monument, only the boiler room is accessible for wheelchair and walker users. The visitor centre is wheelchair-friendly and has an accessible toilet.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The pumping station is located on the Kamperzeedijk between Kampen and Genemuiden and, according to its website, is a popular stopover on cycling and motorcycle tours.

Amenities & dining

• Café

On opening days the visitor centre offers coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks; the book "Ode aan een stoomreus" is also sold there.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 50 guests.

Visitor centre for meetings, birthdays and gatherings for €200 including cleaning (as of 2026), kitchen and crockery available, catering to be arranged yourself; wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet. The pumping station can be requested for wedding or corporate photos.

Plan your visit