The History of Westfries Museum
The Westfries Museum is a regional history museum located in the Dutch city of Hoorn. Established in 1880, the institution focuses its research and collections on the period between 1500 and 1800. This era represents the most dynamic period in Dutch history, and the museum examines how these developments influenced the West-Friesland region specifically.
The museum's scope is defined by the historical shifts occurring within these three centuries. It provides a record of the social and economic changes that shaped the local area during the rise and eventual conclusion of the Golden Age. By centering its narrative on this specific timeframe, the museum maintains a focused study of the maritime and commercial history inherent to Hoorn.
The Monumental Building and Architecture
The museum occupies a 17th-century rijksmonument located at the Roode Steen in Hoorn. The primary structure is the Statencollege, a building constructed in 1632 to house the Gecommitteerde Raden of West-Friesland and the Noorderkwartier. This site holds significant historical layers, as the Statencollege was erected upon the location of the Proostenhuis, which was one of the first stone houses in Hoorn.
The museum's footprint extends across a monumental complex. This includes the main building at Roode Steen 1 and the adjacent monument at Roode Steen 15. Behind the museum, a monumental gate dating from 1729 provides access to the courtyard. The architecture reflects the administrative importance of the region during the 17th century, with the building's facade and interior spaces designed to accommodate the functions of the regional governing bodies.
The Golden Age Art Collection
The museum holds a varied collection of seventeenth-century paintings, many of which were produced by artists who earned their living within West-Friesland. These works are presented in a painting cabinet arranged according to the model of a seventeenth-century kunstkammer. The presentation utilizes gold leather wallpaper on the walls, a reproduction of the style found in the regent chamber of the former Weeshuis in Enkhuizen from 1742.
Beyond the canvas, the collection includes porcelain, glass, and silverwork. These objects reflect the material wealth of the period. The arrangement of the paintings, extending from the ceiling to the floorboards, follows the historical practice of displaying art in the homes of wealthy merchants.
- Portrait of Catharina van Someren, 1632 - Jacques Waben
- Portrait of Jan Pieterszoon Coen, 1700 - Jacques Waben
- Portrait of Meyndert Merens, 1626 - Jacques Waben
- Portrait of an unknown 14-year-old girl, 1655 - Jan Albertsz. Rotius
- Portrait of Lucas van Neck Merens, 1734 - Nikolaas Verkolje
- Sophie Charlotte zu Solms-Hohensolms-Lich - Johann Heinrich Tischbein
Recent Archaeological Discoveries and Projects
The Westfries Museum is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation and expansion. During the necessary foundation repairs to the monumental building, archaeologists identified remains that may constitute the oldest stone house in Hoorn. These findings include heavy medieval walls, cellars, and a stone stair tower. The exact age of the structure remains under investigation through dendrological research and other archaeological methods.
The excavation has also revealed a medieval cesspool. This feature contained various finds dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. These discoveries provide physical evidence of the site's long-standing occupation and the transition from timber to stone construction in the region. The ongoing work continues to uncover layers of the city's history beneath the current museum site.