Museum of the 20th Century
Krententuin 24 (Oostereiland)
1621 DG Hoorn (NH)
(0)229-214001
E-mail: info@museumhoorn.nl
Website: www.museumhoorn.nl



NEW: Free AudioTour in English!
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Museum of the 20th Century
 
This unique museum was opened in 1994 and houses an impressive collection of objects from the 20th Century which will appeal to both young and old alike!  Your visit will take you on a nostalgic journey through the last century with something for everyone, from young children to their grandparents.  An English audio tour is available and is free of charge at the reception.

The Museum moved in 2011 to imposing new premises on Oostereiland (Eastern Island) in the historic harbor of Hoorn.  The Museum has a lift and excellent facilities for invalids as well as a Museum Shop, where you will find a large selection of books and interesting and nostalgic gifts.

Over a two year period the former prison complex “De Krententuin” was transformed to accommodate not only the Museum of the 20th Century but also Cinema Oostereiland, together with a comfortable Brasserie and a Tourist Information Centre.  The Brasserie is an ideal venue to relax with friends for a snack, a meal or a drink/coffee. It has a superb panoramic view over the IJsselmeer and Julianapark.  A similar view of Hoorn and the Ijsselmeer can be enjoyed from the whole of Oostereiland.  During the summer the harbor bustles with pleasure boats, old Dutch barges and cruise ships.



In the permanent Museum Collection you will find many familiar but long forgotten items from the last century. These include the first electrical gadgets and household equipment, to classical children’s toys and games.  Children can enjoy playing with Lego and the younger children can entertain themselves with Thomas the Train!  You can visit a high street with Baker’s Shop, Haberdashery, Hairdresser, Printers, and then wander through the rooms styled according to the different decades of the 20th century.  There is also a classroom with wooden desks and during school holidays sometimes children can sit in on a real lesson, as lessons were given in the last century.


 

Exhibitions are planned throughout the year and currently we have a special collectors’ exhibition of Robots and Space Toys (until April 28, 2013)

This exhibition will not only appeal to adults but also to children.  Most of the robots are for safety reasons behind glass, however, there are several modern robots, with remote control, which children and other visitors can operate themselves.

The Cohen Collection (until December 2013)

Since 1994 the Museum of the 20th Century has been lucky enough to be able to make use of the large and very varied and divers collection of Rob Cohen.
 

Often the majority of this large collection which has more than 1000 articles is kept in our Depot. At this moment a lot of Rob Cohen’s collection is on special display in our Collector’s Gallery.

The Edison Room – a feast for eyes and ears

 (semi-permanent exhibition)
The Museum exhibits in its Edison Room a stunning collection of audio material from the beginning of the last century. We are privileged to have Jelle Attema’s collection of phonographs and gramophones on loan to our Museum.  The Edison Room conjures up the authentic sphere from the 1900’s until the 1930’s.

Route

We are located on Oostereiland, a peninsula in the harbor of Hoorn.

Hoorn is not far away from Amsterdam!

By car from Amsterdam it takes about 25 minutes to Hoorn.

By train from Amsterdam it takes about 33 minutes. There are two fast trains per hour.

Directions by car

Hoorn is on the A7 (Amsterdam – Afsluitdijk – Leeuwarden).  You take the junction Hoorn (not West or Noord) and you follow the blue ANWB (Tourist Office) signs HAVENS and by P-HAVENS you can park your car free of charge.  You would then walk for about 10 minutes to the Centrum (Centre) of Hoorn and you will see the Green Arrows/signs for the Museum of the 20th Century.  The Route planner would take you directly to the Museum itself where you cannot park so please follow the above directions.

Parking in Hoorn

The whole of the centre of Hoorn is PAID parking!  Most of the places are for Permit Holders only.  It is sensible therefore to park free of charge by P-HAVENS (Parking De Nieuwe Wal).  On Oostereiland only invalid parking is available. If you are bringing goods to the Museum or if you are an invalid or semi invalid you can announce this by the parking barrier at the back of the Oostereiland.  The barrier would then be lifted.

Touring Cars and Busses

Busses cannot arrive in front of the Museum of the 20th Century.  They should drop and pick up their passengers at the beginning of Visserseiland about 200 meters away from the Museum. Busses can also park on the parking lot De Nieuwe Wal, see instructions above.

By Train

You should take the train to the main station of HOORN and then follow the green arrows “musea” and ‘Museum van de Twintigste Eeuw’.  It is a pleasant walk taking about 20 minutes through the historic old centre of Hoorn.  You can also take a taxi.  There are no official busses in the old centre.  During the summer there are small open tourist busses which would also bring you from the Station to the Museum of the 20th Century??
 
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