Open Monument Days in the municipality of Zaanstad - Noorderhuis

Visit the Noorderhuis during the Open Monument Days 2025 in the municipality of Zaanstad

On Saturday, 13 and Sunday, 14 September 2025, the Noorderhuis, located at Kalverringdijk 17 on the Zaanse Schans, will open its doors during the Open Monument Days. This is a special occasion when visitors can take a rare look inside this historic building, which is only open in the summer due to ongoing renovation work.

Inside, you can experience the history of a 17th-century merchant’s house, which, after centuries of habitation and use, was eventually moved to the Zaanse Schans to be preserved for the future. During this weekend, you will not only discover the authentic front and back rooms, but you will also hear stories about the residents, the move to the Zaanse Schans, and the current restoration of the Noorderhuis.

This makes the 2025 Open Monument Days in Zaanstad a unique opportunity to follow the renovation of the Noorderhuis in the Zaan heritage village with your own eyes.

Open monumentendagen Nooderhuis Zaanse Schans
ZaanseS Schans Noorderhuis

History of the Noorderhuis

The Noorderhuis was built around 1650 in Zaandijk as a merchant’s house and has an impressive history of residents. Over the centuries, it was expanded and given an Empire-style interior.

When demolition threatened in 1970, the house was carefully moved to the Zaanse Schans. Since then, it has become an important role model for Zaan wood construction and monumental heritage.

During the Zaanstad Open Monument Days, you can discover how the Noorderhuis developed: from a merchant’s house to the style rooms of the clothing museum, to a bed & breakfast and now in preparation for a museum function.

Zaanse Schans Noorderhuis

Heritage preservation in the heritage village Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans is a residential and working neighbourhood where the past becomes tangible and a living heritage village where preservation and restoration are central.

Heritage preservation is of great importance here because the monumental buildings and windmills form the soul of the Zaan region.

Through careful restoration and sharing of stories, this cultural heritage is being preserved for the future.

This means that future generations will also be able to experience the unique history of the Zaanse Schans and see how craftsmanship, architecture, and Zaan traditions have taken shape over the centuries.

Open monumentendag Noorderhuis Zaanstad

Styling-Chambres Kalverringdijk open

A special moment during the Zaanstad Open Monument Days is that the Styling-Chambres Kalverringdijk is open to the public.

The front room has already been restored to its original Empire style, complete with ornaments, wallpaper, colour schemes, and authentic details.

Visitors will get a preview of the future appearance of this monumental Zaan building, in which the Empire style will be on display in all its glory throughout the entire monumental building.

Open monumentendagen Zaanstad Noorderhuis

Discover the story behind the front of the building

Our conservation advisor will welcome you to the Noorderhuis during the Open Monument Days. He will tell you all about the rich history of the building, its unique architecture, and the ongoing restoration.

The importance of heritage conservation will be a central theme: why it is so important to preserve monuments such as the Noorderhuis for the future. Visitors will receive background information about the Zaanse Schans and will have the opportunity to ask questions, so that everyone can obtain a complete impression of the value and future of this monumental building.

  • The Zaanse Schans – how monuments were saved from demolition
  • The journey of the Noorderhuis – from Zaandijk to the Zaanse Schans in 1970
  • The layers of habitation – who lived there and what was the purpose of the Noorderhuis in the heritage village of Zaanse Schans?
  • The restoration and future – back to the Empire style and the new role of the Noorderhuis
  • Answering questions about the restoration and heritage conservation at the Zaanse Schans
Open monumentendagen Noorderhuis Zaanstad

Restoration and future

The aim is to restore the house to its early 19th-century appearance, in keeping with the period of Jacob Vis.

This will make the Noorderhuis a unique place in the Netherlands where the Empire style will soon be brought back to life.

During the Open Monument Days in Zaanstad, you can hear the story behind the façade: the move to the Zaanse Schans, the history of its residents, and the careful renovations that are preparing this historic Zaan building for its future.

Practical information about Open Monument Days in Zaanstad | Noorderhuis

Every year, Open Monument Days are a special occasion when thousands of monuments in the Netherlands open their doors and visitors have the opportunity to experience cultural heritage up close. Come and see for yourself during Open Monument Days in the municipality of Zaanstad and experience how a 17th-century Zaan building with a rich history is making history once again at the Zaanse Schans.

Practical information | Open Monument Days | Noorderhuis

  • Location: Noorderhuis, Kalverringdijk 17, Zaandam (Zaanse Schans)
  • Dates: Saturday, September 13, and Sunday, September 14, 2025
  • Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Admission: The Noorderhuis is open to all visitors who want to experience the unique atmosphere and history of this Zaan monument.