The Zuiderzee Museum owns a varied collection of objects and premises. The historical collection of approximately 24,000 objects is based on the (cultural) history of the Zuiderzee area. In addition, for several years the Museum has been collecting modern and contemporary expressions of art and culture connected with or inspired by the rich traditions of this area.
The collection consists of the most diverse range of objects. You can think of the impressive painting A fisherman's funeral by Augustin Hanicotte, or a pretty golden cap brooch from Noord-Holland and the recent purchased Viktor & Rolf and Studio Job.
Every year, the Zuiderzee Museum acquires new objects that are obtained via purchase, donation or bequest. From now on, the Museum has decided to display the new acquisitions in special rooms, under the name Hollandse Nieuwe (New Dutch).
Formerly, the Zuiderzee Museum focused on the period until 1932, when the Afsluitdijk, the IJsselmeer Dam, was completed and the Zuiderzee as such ceased to exist. For some years now, the Museum has been broadening its horizons. Today the Museum presents art, culture and heritage at the interface of land and water.
Visual arts, photography, home & interior, ceramics & glass, design, ships, painting, jewellery, textiles & fashion are all represented in the collection. A selection of objects is on display in temporary exhibitions with the theme of Art and Culture at the Interface of Land and Water. Visit Het geheugen van Nederland (The memory of the Netherlands) for even more objects of the Zuiderzee Museum.
Over a hundred premises from the former Zuiderzee area have been brought together in the Museum Park. Some of them are completely fitted out in accordance with the old situation, with the original furniture and utensils. The visitor can also attend demonstrations of old trades in the Museum Park.
Other premises have been fitted out by contemporary visual artists and designers, who thus express their perception of the meaning and relevance of the Museum Park. In addition, three of the houses in the Park have been converted into studios for artists.
