About us

The sustainable balance between man and water is central to Museum Vlaardingen. The story about Vlaardingen, the region and the interaction between man and water goes back thousands of years, but also continues to take shape every day. It is a story about people who pioneer and conquer, who have to fight against disasters and misery, who achieve more together than alone and support each other when necessary. The story is about fishermen and fishing, with its ships and typical customs. It is about the activity in the Delta, the source of employment and well-being. And about the origin of and the dynamics in the colorful society at the edge of the water. An exhibition about fishing in painting fits well within this profile.

In addition to an extensive collection of material related to North Sea fishing, the museum also has archaeological finds and other objects related to the history of the city. The permanent collection includes ship models, a herring and the oldest dugout canoe in the Netherlands.

The oldest sailing herring lugger in the Netherlands, the ‘VL92 Balder’ is part of the museum’s collection.

In Museum Vlaardingen you will discover the stories about the city, the region and the interaction between man and water. View here which special exhibitions you can view now and soon and which exhibitions are always on view. Our volunteers will tell you more about the most beautiful objects in the museum. Also take a look at our neighbors on the Museumkade: Haringlogger de Balder and the Stadskraan Vlaardingen.

Mission

In the dynamic, urbanized Waterway region, Museum Vlaardingen is a vibrant and enterprising city museum, where the historical, current and future developments of Vlaardingen are central. 

As a reliable treasurer of the city’s historical heritage, the museum gives meaning from the past to Vlaardingen, now and later. The core collection forms the basis of the museum: the Vlaardingen Collection, which is further enhanced through collaboration with and loans from other heritage institutions in the city and beyond.

From a characteristic, monumental building on the Museumkade (with a view of the museum ship De Balder and the historic Stadskraan), Museum Vlaardingen tells the stories of a colorful city on the water, where the delta, as a source of employment and well-being, has provided activity for centuries. , entrepreneurship, innovation and prosperity. 

With a high-profile and varied program of exhibitions and activities aimed at all Vlaardingers, the museum strives for inclusivity: young, old and new residents of the city discover and recognize ‘their’ stories in the museum, thereby increasing knowledge about, appreciation for and connections. gain a significant boost within the city.

Visitors from the region – and beyond – experience in Museum Vlaardingen why Vlaardingen is more than just a Dutch city on the water.

Vision

Museum Vlaardingen has been firmly anchored in society for 100 years and actively seeks collaboration with cultural, social and educational organizations. As one of the city’s major cultural hotspots, the museum contributes to the municipality’s vision of the future to make Vlaardingen a social and safe city with an attractive, lively city center.

The museum establishes connections with the local and regional business community and thus strives for a healthy financing mix, in which other sources can be tapped in addition to the municipal subsidy.