Welcome to 't  Walvisvaarders Huisje

ticket booking (May up and until October)

 

We are travelling back to the 18th century. Klaas Jacobsz Daalder, who was going on sea voyages since he was 10, bought this house in 1729 and lived here with his wife and children. Klaas has just promoted from sailor to commanding officer in the whaling business. Thanks to the prosperous haul in whale catching, he left his footprint, just as later residents of this house, in form of a magnificent interior. For about 60 years this house gave shelter to whale catchers. But there were many more people living in this house and there still are.

 

Since the time that Klaas Jacobsz Daalder lived in this house, the interior has changed very little, except for a few innovations. It seems as if time has been standing still. The current residents also sleep in the box-beds, just like Klaas about 300 years ago. You can discover many items from the 18th and 19th century and general information about whaling. A part of them are loans by the local museum Oudheidkamer in Den Burg, Kaap Skil in Oudeschild, the Natuurhistorisch Museum im Rotterdam, and family Vonk-Uitgeest from De Koog.

 

Would you like to have a look at 't Walvisvaarders Huisje or attend a guided tour? You will find all the dates under events. If you would like to inform about a group visit, please contact us directly.

  

In 2014, Ineke Vonk-Uitgeest and Wilma Eelman launched their book 'Verhalen over twee Walvisvaarders' (in Dutch). The book is centred around the rich history of 't Walvisvaarders Huisje and its inhabitants.

In early 2015, 'Walvisvaarders' was launched, young-adult fiction written by Bianca Mastenbroek. She was inspired by the adventures of Klaas Daalder and tells the exciting story of Tijs who is going on a whaling adventure.

 

Both books can be viewed and purchased in 't Walvisvaarders Huisje. They are also available in bookshops and online.

In 2020, filmmakers Loes Witteveen and Pauline van Tuyll of Wageningen University & Research have launched a documentary about 't Walvisvaarders Huisje and how it's journey to become cultural heritage. The documentary is part of the European project PERICLES, for which several European universities join forces to focus on a sustainable management of cultural heritage of coastal areas. You can view the video below.

Exhibition from visual artist Kerstin Edelmann in the garden during Klifhanger (June 2023).