Amsterdam - Historical Museum

(Local Name: Historisch Museum) This museum has been housed in the former municipal orphanage on the St Luciensteeg since 1975, when Amsterdam celebrated its 700th anniversary. The name Luciensteeg harks back to the monastery of St Lucia founded in 1414 which, besides a chapel, also had a farm (today restaurant and museum). After the dissolution of the monastery this was the municipal orphanage from 1578 to 1960. Today the restored buildings 1963-1975 surrounding spacious courtyards are set out as a museum which uses modern methods to illustrate the past. The visitor can learn about the constantly changing position of Amsterdam in the country and in the world, the growth of the city and the port and the life of its citizens on its streets and in the home. The exhibits range from prehistoric finds and the town's original charter, to items from the present day. Reclamation of the land from the sea is explained by means of slides. Special exhibitions illustrate particular aspects of Amsterdam's varied history. There is easy access to the inner courtyards, the shooting gallery, the audio-visual programs (in English and Dutch) on the history of the building and the restaurant during museum opening hours. The library possesses a rich collection of literature on the history of the city. In addition graphics, drawings and the Fodor Bequest can be inspected by arrangement.