Arnhem - Netherlands Open-Air Museum

(Local Name: Openluchtmuseum) North of Arnhem (leave on Zijpendaalseweg and turn right into Schelmseweg, or on Apeldoornseweg and then left into Schelmseweg: distance 4km/2.5mi), set in beautiful wooded country, is the Netherlands Open-Air Museum (Nederlands Openluchtmuseum; area 33 hectares/82 acres). The museum was founded in 1912 on the initiative of ordinary citizens concerned to ensure that the way of life and folk art of the different parts of the country should not be destroyed by the development of industry. Although the museum originally concentrated on the living and working conditions of the rural population (farmers, craftsmen, shepherds and fishermen) down to 1900, it now also takes in the urban and industrial setting. Thus in addition to numerous typical farmers' and fishermen's houses, windmills of all kinds and a variety of craftsmen's workshops visitors can also see a steam sawmill from Groenlo, a steam-driven dairy from Veenwouden and an entire group of houses from the Zaan area. All the various buildings were brought here from their original sites, complete with their furniture and equipment, and are now arranged in provinces. In the main exhibition building there are periodical displays of traditional costume. A cart-shed houses various types of cart and coach.

This museum houses the most important and comprehensive collection of traditional Dutch folk costume. The exhibitions are constantly changing and often include household textiles as well as costume.