Museums, Haarlem

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The Vleeshal as well as the Verweyhal are an annexe of the Frans Hals museum under the name "De Hallen Haarlem".
On the time of my visit in Haarlem, I was lucky that the temporary exhibition was on Isaac Israel a very good Dutch impressionist. The theme of the exhibition was "Israels on the beach". This exhibition stops already on 19/08/2007. I have joined some photos.
Another exhibition (19/06-19/08/2007) in the Hallen is that of Fréderic Boot and Kees Verwey both 20th c. impressionist painters.

Next exhibition from 01.09.2007 to 25.11.2007 will show works from 15 young artists from Europe and the USA with the theme "The present order is the disorder of the future".

Let me begin with an attempt at sharing the more literal meaning of "ten Boom." According to my elegant and well-versed tour guide at the museum, "ten Boom" means, "tree," more or less. With that settled, this is a very interesting museum to visit.

The family, ten Boom, lived above a clock and watch shop that the family owned and operated. To the honor of the ten Boom household, one of the daughters, Corrie, became the first woman to earn a watchmaker?s guild license in the Netherlands. But this is not the reason to visit, rather, the family operated a safe house to protect and care for Jews, Dutch Resistance Fighters, and all else who would knock upon their door seeking safety from the Nazi occupiers during WW II. This is the type of bravery and compassion for humanity that should be held up as shining examples of what to do when confronted by the type of evil that could only be born from governments that resort to the aggressive use of deceit, propaganda and torture. I only hope that good people, such as those of the ten Boom family, will be around to help those in need when the next political power decides to impose their ideology on others through force or intimidation.

This photo shows the hidden passage, through the bottom of a linen closet, which led to a one by two meter hiding space beyond the false brick wall. The heroic efforts of the ten Booms saved hundreds of lives, but sadly, imprisonment and the stress of the generally poor living conditions imposed by the occupation led to the deaths of most of the family. Today there are no ten Boom descendents, but the home is maintained by a local historical preservation society and is open daily as a museum. The storefront space, that was once home to the family business, continues to be used as a watch and clock shop.

One of the most unique exhibitions in the world, Het Dolhuis, or the Museum of Psychiatry, offers visitors an opportunity to learn about psychiatric diseases and behavioral disorders afflicting individuals and society from the perspective of Dutch history. I highly recommend visiting this museum to anyone with even a modest interest in psychology or psychiatry. Although there are no information displays in English, the exhibits are so well constructed that anyone with exposure to an introduction to psychology course will be able to comprehend the message and leave feeling rewarded. I hope to see additional languages added in the future because this museum truly is so unique and thoughtfully constructed that it should be more readily shared with the rest of the world.

In any event, I found the staff and docents working at the museum to be very knowledgeable and helpful. On the day I visited, I had a wonderful conversation with a docent named Eef. He discussed with me many of the social and economic differences between the US and Dutch treatments of mental illnesses. I'm sorry I didn't have the time to continue our conversation further, but I will look for him again when I return. Until then, Cheers to Eef and the rest of the fine and caring folks at museum!

The impressive mix of architectural styles among the buildings surrounding the central Market Square was enough to keep the eyes spinning. This photo shows one of my favorites, built from brick and stone laid in a fanciful pattern and adorned with so many spires; it looked as though it were decorated with cake frosting. The rigged symmetry of the museum's facade is rather striking when compared to the more free flowing form of the sculpture located in the plaza before it.

If you went to Amsterdam and enjoyed touring the Anne Frank House, then you will like this as well. Rather than presenting the viewpoint of those hiding from the Nazis, you get the point of view from those who hid people. You must go on a guided tour, which are available at various times in the day. There is no admission charge, however I recommend a donation or at least buying something from them. Our guide was very good with describing the events which took place here in Europe's darkest days. This tour will be given in a Christian perspective since Corrie ten Boom believed that it was her Christian duty to help those in dire need. You will see a hiding place built into the wall. I think everyone could learn something from this place. On the ground level is a watch shop, which was the family profession.

Streetorgans are an important part of Dutch history and traditional culture. If you are lucky you will see and hear one while walking trough the towncenter. When you see one you can put a small amount of change in the small copper box he carries. The streetorgan player will appreciate that.

In my youth a streetorgan passed trough my street sometimes. It was pulled by a horse. I always used to give the horse a carrot and the man who turned the wheel of the streetorgan 25 cents.

The streetorgan museum is a very nice museum. They have beautifully restored old and traditional streetorgans. You can see and hear the organs play every Sunday in this museum.

Apart from their own collection, a guest organ from somewhere in the country is playing every Sunday.

If you want a preview on streetorgan music, just check their website:
http://www.draaiorgelmuseum.org/
The site is also available in English. You can listen to mp3 files of streetorgan music here.

Open:
Sunday afternoon 11 am -18 pm.
Other days only by appointment:
To make an appoitment cal: 023-5380497

De VLEESHAL is one of Haarlem's most important historical buildings and a Master piece of architecture.

City-Architect Lieven de Key designed the building and his style and interpretation have left their stamp on several parts of the City of Haarlem.

Originally not everyone was very happy with this in Dutch Renaissance style constructed building that dates from 1603.

It is said that someone once put it this way: this has been built by an architect who was under the influence of jenever (gin)....

Nowadays DE VLEESHAL is famous as THE example of Renaissance architecture!
Originally it was built for Haarlem's BUTCHERS.....

During the restoration in 1990 the cellar of the Vleeshal has been handed over to the archaeological Museum.

Nowadays it is used as a part of the FRANS HALS MUSEUM, as is the VISHAL.

De VISHAL, built in 1769 has been built against the North side of the Grote- or St. Bavo church.

OPEN: Mondays through Saturdays from 11AM - 5PM and on Sundays from 1PM - 5PM

A small entrance fee will be charged....

The Cruquius is the former pump (working on steam) to keep the HAARLEMMERMEER dry!

In the station you will find the original steam pump in the round Hall with around it 8 piston engines, that were set in action by "balansarmen". (I am not an engineer!)

Situated in one of the three 19th Century steam-propelled mills which reclaimed the HAARLEMMERMEER Lake.
The site is open to the public who will find there a survey of the history of Dutch DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS and much more....

The Cruquius hadn't worked for quite some time, has been replaced by more modern equippment to keep us all dry.....which is quite a job knowing that 2/3 of The Netherlands is below sea-level!

In the Museum you can clearly see how we work with water, treat water and protect ourselves from water....very interesting.

Specialities are scale-models of The Netherlands when there is a severe storm, you can see scale models of water mills and steam engines, old engines, drawings, maps and there are video presentations.

Now the Cruquius is working again (2002)
by means of a hydraulic system.

OPEN: 1st March - 31st October: Mondays through Fridays 10AM - 5PM
On Sundays and festive days from 11AM - 5PM

Located at rhe eastern border of HEEMSTEDE near HAARLEM.

You will enjoy your visit, I am sure.....