The Dutch Resistance Museum, known to locals as the Verzetsmuseum, details the history of the Dutch resistance in World War II during the country’s occupation by Germany from May 1940 to May 1945.
Resistance in the Netherlands took many forms, from small acts like displaying postage stamps with the Queen’s face, to life-threatening activities, such as spying for the Allies, helping people go underground or distributing illegal newspapers to keep the population informed. The museum documents a variety of these activities in a thoughtful and moving way.
The permanent exhibition takes visitors back to the 1930s and 1940s with its life-like street scenes and recreated interiors of Dutch homes. The information is presented in both Dutch and English, although visitors can also use the free mobile guides (available in Dutch, English, German, French and Spanish) for more in-depth information. The museum’s knowledgeable staff are also always happy to share stories and discuss items with visitors.
The museum has long proven popular with families and educational school trips, and in 2013 it launched a dedicated Junior building. This shows young visitors (9-14 years) how four peers experienced life in Amsterdam during wartime.