May 15 to September 8, 2024
The world-famous Zaanse Schans is visited by more than 2.5 million tourists every year. But what exactly is the Zaanse Schans? Is it an authentic village, an open-air museum or a tourist spot with reconstructions of what used to be?
The Zaanse Schans has existed since 1963 and was designed by architect Jaap Schipper as an ode to the Zaan architecture. Schipper saw that more and more authentic Zaan buildings were disappearing, because they had to make space for the growing industry and urban expansion. To save the buildings from demolition, he designed a reserve where houses and mills from the entire Zaan region were placed and restored. This photo exhibition shows you how the Zaanse Schans was created, and how spectacular it was to transport the Zaan buildings over land and water.
This exhibition was created courtesy of the Gemeentearchief Zaanstad, Stichting Zaanse Schans, erfgoedorganisatie Zaans Skoon, Dirk Brand, Hans Bax and Bob Fleumer Aerial Photography B.V. Westzaan.
Right at the heart of the museum, you will find the Verkade Experience, a treat for young and old! Here, you will be transported back to the chocolate and biscuit factory of the early twentieth century, where the original machines are still churning away and the history of Verkade comes alive.
Have you always wanted to work in a chocolate and biscuit factory? Then take the chance now! Test your dexterity with the games at the Verkade Experience. Put on your work clothes and pretend to be a ‘Verkade girl’, a chocolate expert, or a biscuit baker. Will you get promoted to director, or will you be sacked?
Get a chocolate bar of choice at the ticket desk of the Zaans Museum for €2,75 and create a custom Verkade chocolate bar wrapper using your own design and choice of colours. When you’re happy with your design, use the mini packaging machine to wrap your chocolate bar in your own wrapper.
In the Verkade Treasury you can see the best and longest-running marketing campaign of the previous century: the Verkade Albums. Between 1903 and 1940, and between 1965 and 1995, Verkade published 35 picture card albums, all written by renowned Dutch authors.
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Ask for the treasure hunt for the Verkade Experience at the ticket desk. Take part in all kinds of fun activities while the biscuit and chocolate machines are working at full-steam. There is a treasure hunt for children between the ages of 6 and 8 and one for children between the ages of 8 and 12.
Price: €1 for the treasure hunt
Daily
Create your own design for a Verkade chocolate bar wrapper at the Verkade Experience. Then wrap your chocolate bar in your custom design wrapper using the mini packaging machine!
Price: admission to the Zaans Museum + €2.75 for the chocolate bar
Available at the cash desk of the Zaans Museum