IJmuider Zee en Havenmuseum

Maritime activities in the past and present

The permanent collection of the Zee en Havenmuseum offers a distinct overview of the development of the region and its maritime activities in the past and present. This began with digging the trenches for the North Sea Canal around 1870 and the construction of its piers and locks.

There are also exhibitions about fishing, the history of tug boats and off-shore industry – all informative and designed to please both young and old. The museum is maintained and operated by a group of committed volunteers and local maritime experts.

Discover maritime history

For a year now, the original first wheelbarrow and spade have been on display, which were used on March 8, 1865, 500 meters away from the museum for the first shovel of sand. Eleven years later the canal was completed. King Willem III then gave the name IJmuiden to the hole in the dunes (that was all it was) in a beautiful charter on November 1, 1876. He signed this plaque with an eagle feather pen. Wheelbarrow, spade and this special pen are on loan from the Rijksmuseum and thus back to the place where it all started.

The museum is open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The museum card is valid.

Please note: During the months of July and August and all other school holidays, the museum is open every afternoon except Monday afternoon. For more information, see the website .