The Nederlands Transport Museum, located in Nieuw-Vennep, faces closure, due to redevelopment plans. The museum was subsequently forced to vacate its location. Efforts to find a new home have been to no avail. Collections are now being dispersed, including some rare collections.
Cause of Museum Closure
The museum closed to the public on March 6, 2023. Due to several issues, they were unable to find a permanent home to house their collections. The museum’s board and volunteers investigated more than 30 potential locations across the Netherlands to house its collections, most of which were construction sites. However, the locations they found were either too expensive or would take too long to become available, and some included political and legal barriers that were too great to overcome. The museum planned to relocate to Hoofddorp in April 2024. However, this was abandoned due to pre-construction requirements.
The Museum said:
“The curtain falls for the Dutch Transport Museum. Over the past two years, the Dutch Transport Museum in Nieuw-Vennep has been busy trying to find a new location for its activities. But unfortunately, all attempts to make a fresh start have proven fruitless. The collection is being dismantled, loans are being returned to the owners, and the contents are being put up for sale. The museum is looking for a home for some of the collection items, the archive and a workspace for its volunteers.”
The museum was given a deadline to vacate its current site, the former Lucas Bols factory in Nieuw Vennep, by March 2023. This was because its location was scheduled for demolition to make way for new housing and a medical centre. However, occupancy of the facility was extended into 2024 due to issues regarding collection dispersal and efforts to find a new home.
Chairman of the museum, Arno Van der Hoist, said:
“We regret the situation, but we have no other choice. Now that construction is going to start here on the Bols site, we have to make way for the construction of houses, which are so much needed.”
“The loyal group of enthusiasts, many of whom live in the region, are still working on projects every week. It would be great if this social function could be continued in Oar and Haarlemmermeer under the most favourable conditions possible. The museum owes a great deal of gratitude to the owner of the building, real estate agent Paul Brandjes of De Raad Vastgoed in Katwijk. Thanks to his support and patience, the museum has been given all the space it needs to look forward to something new. However, it has been to no avail. Surplus material will also soon be offered on the museum’s website. Tables, chairs, tools, racks and even real objects will be put up for sale.”
Rare Collection Dispersal
Several of the museum’s collections are being sold or given away, and Items on loan are being returned to their original owners. The Museum consisted of a PBY-5A Catalina 16-212, a Cessna AT-17 Bobcat, and a very rare Douglas DC-2, including many other vehicles.
The museum said:
“The collection, consisting of some 150 large and 500 small objects, thousands of books and tens of thousands of photos (and more), is falling apart; loans are returned to the owners, a ‘garage sale’ of all surplus and saleable material is taking place in mid-March/April, and other items are being thrown away. These processes have now been initiated and will be completed in the coming months. The museum is now urgently looking for a workspace of 200 to 400 square meters in the region for its volunteers.”
The Douglas DC-2 was a pioneering aircraft in the 1930s, significantly advancing commercial aviation and setting the stage for its successor, the DC-3. With only eight known survivors globally, it’s a rare and valuable artefact in aviation history and one of the most significant items in the museum. The aircraft on display at the museum retains its original cockpit, cabin, and two Wright R-1820 engines, complete with propellers and some spare parts. Often hailed as the “mother of all modern aluminium aircraft,” the DC-2 demonstrated its capabilities during the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race from London to Melbourne. Despite finishing second overall, it won the handicap division, highlighting its efficiency and reliability. Due to the museum closure, the historic aircraft has been put up for sale.
What will happen to rare artefacts like the Douglas DC-2? Leave your comments below.
