Museums for enthusiasts
Many of the museums you’ll find in Midden-Groningen were founded by collectors, such as the Brandweermuseum (fire brigade museum) and the Schaatsmuseum (skating museum). The volunteers here – such as the bus drivers of the Busmuseum and the smith at the Historische Scheepswerf – love telling visitors all about their passion.
Nationaal Bus Museum | Buses from the olden days
Hoogezand - In former days, people in Groningen would take a bus from one of the local bus companies – such as a Gado, ESA or Dam – if they wanted to go into the city or another destination. In the Nationaal Bus Museum in Hoogezand, these buses from the olden days all line up neatly. In addition to a beautiful collection of buses, the museum’s varied collection also includes coaches from previous decades, and even a prison bus. Naturally you’ll also find tickets, punches, ties, hats and uniforms. Come and hop on!
Read more
Brandweermuseum | Action: the fire brigade
Sappemeer - In the Brandweermuseum in Sappemeer, children and – let’s be honest – adults can make their childhood dream come true, for a little while at least. There are dozens of perfectly restored fire engines on display, many of Groningen make. The museum holds regular open days and many of the fire trucks appear in parades. This lovely venue is highly recommended for a children’s party or family outing.
Read more
Noord-Nederlands Trein & Tram Museum | All on board!
Zuidbroek - If you are into ‘real’ life-size trains and their tiny model equivalent, the Noord-Nederlands Trein & Tram Museum is the place for you! And the best thing: it’s housed in a former station! Come and feel what it’s like to be a ticket collector or train driver.
Read more
Historic Scheepswerf Wolthuis | Unmoor
Hoogezand - If you know a lot about shipping or ship-building and wish to further enhance your knowledge, or if you’re a fan of old machines or have a great liking for everything from the past, the Historische Scheepswerf Wolthuis might be just the place for you. Nothing has changed here over the past few decades. The volunteers at the shipyard – most of them former shipyard employees – use and demonstrate their craft on a regular basis.
Read more
Stenenmuseum | Prehistoric boulders in the Groningen countryside
Slochteren - The huge collection of Scandinavian boulders and flint tools Paul and Martha Thijssen inherited is certainly special. They decided to incorporate them in a museum, which today has a very special collection of boulders on display. These huge boulders were transported to the north of the Netherlands by sheets of ice during the Ice Ages.
Read more
Museum ’40-’45 | The war from up close
Kolham - At the age of twelve, Chris Scholtens received a few pamphlets that had been distributed from above the eastern parts of Groningen in 1939. It spiked a collector’s passion in him, resulting in a compilation consisting of hundreds of items from WWII, great and small. In Museum ’40-’45, you can see books, letters, documents, enamel plates, papers, vehicle parts, military uniforms, ammunition, paintings, topographic maps and scale models of warships, all from the era of WWII.
Read more
Groninger Schaatsmuseum | From wooden skates to clapskates
Sappemeer - Skate collector Alex Kampinga of the Groninger Schaatsmuseum started his collection because he wanted a relaxing hobby. The Schaatsmuseum features skates from all over the world. Some are centuries old; others are very special specimens, such as skates that depict a swan at the front of the blade, to skates that were once owned and used by famous skaters, and the wooden skates from the early twentieth century.
Read more
