Press shop for explosives
Built in 1952, not a monument
Past
This was where primers and tracers were produced. Pressing explosives was a high-risk activity. The contact between an explosive and the oxidizing agent improves when they are mixed, pressed, and ground. The explosive force increases and the explosive becomes more compact, so that it can be used to, say, fill hand grenades. Because of this, precautionary measures were taken in the press shop to minimize the impact of an explosion. In the event of an explosion, the semi-curved roof directed the impact of a blast wave towards the north of the site. Here, woods had been planted as a buffer between the site and the city of Zaandam. The wave could not be directed south, as the administrative buildings were located on the waterfront. Employees only used non-sparking tools. Sources of fire and flames, such as lighters and keys, were handed over to the gatekeeper. Antistatic work clothes had to be worn and only diesel-powered means of transport, such as small tractors and forklifts, were permitted on site.
Present
This is now the studio of Levi van Veluw, an artist who produces multidisciplinary artworks.
More information: https://levivanveluw.com/
Studio Noa Verhofstad is also based here, where handmade components for photography, films, sets and installations are central to the fashion, art, and marketing projects.
More information: https://noaverhofstad.nl/
Powder sieve for sieving gunpowder at Eurometaal’s ammunition assembly department, 1970-1985
The powder sieve is made of wood with a brass sieve to prevent sparks.
The Zaans Museum was founded in 1998 on the Zaanse Schans to guard and preserve the Zaan heritage.
The Hembrug Museum tells the story of the arms and ammunition factory that was located on the Hembrugterrein in Zaandam.
In 1697, the Russian Tsar Peter the Great stayed in this world-famous house in the center of Zaandam.
