Museum Hindeloopen

Information about the Museum Hindeloopen.

The museum is housed in the former townhall, which was used as such from 1683 to 1919. The wooden statue of Justice over the former side entrance reminds us of the days when justice was still administered in the townhall.

The building was first used as a museum in 1919 and gives a survey of 8th and l9th century Hindeloopen culture through furnished period rooms and several utensils and ornaments.

When you enter the museum you will be surprised at the quantity of tiles. The museum is almost entirely covered with 17th and 18th century tiles.

In the museum you will see a room which concerns navigation, this used to be the main source of prosperity of Hindeloopen. You will see models and paintings of ships and even a Greenland kayak, which the seamen had brought along.

On the first floor of the museum they have rebuilt a 18th century Hindeloopen house. The rooms are richly decorated with Hindeloopen painted furniture and Chinese porcelain. Between the tworooms are the cupboardbeds.

Through the museum you wilI find al varieties of the typical dress of the Hindeloopen women. The material consisted of colorful chintz and chequered cotton from India and also wool and linen from Holland.

In several show-cases you will see the silver ornaments which belonged to this beautiful costume.

In a big show-case on the groundfloor, on one side, you will see objects painted in Hindeloopen style, such as: flap-tables, cupboardbed doors and a sleigh which was moved by pointed sticks. On the other side you will see objects painted somewhere else. This display shows you the individuality of Hindeloopen painting.