Museum of the Month: The Hague Historical Museum / Haags Historisch Museum – Renovation, extension and renewal

The Hague Historical Museum, located in the Museum Quarter, is undergoing an ambitious renovation and expansion thanks to an investment of over €17 million from the Municipality of The Hague. With this transformation, the museum will become not only more accessible, but also future-proof and sustainable.

The museum is expected to be closed from autumn 2024 until spring 2027. The last weekend you can visit the museum in the current state is 28/29 September 2024, when entry will be free.

Major renovation and expansion

The historic museum, housed in a seventeenth-century national monument owned by the municipality, has been struggling with lack of space and outdated facilities for years. The renovation includes essential safety, technology and climate improvements. Besides being more accessible, the building will be made more sustainable, including a heat pump and solar panels on the roof, achieving energy label A.

Alderman of Culture, Saskia Bruines, emphasises the importance of the renovation: ‘The Hague Historical Museum is not just a city museum, but a cultural treasure with national significance. With this investment, the museum can further build on the national appeal that fits the story of The Hague and soon even more people will be able to enjoy the fascinating exhibitions.’

‘The renovation and expansion is a great investment in the museum’s future. We want to be a museum that not only tells the story of The Hague, but is also a welcoming and
accessible city museum, for everyone. Thanks to this renovation, the building will soon be more spacious and has better facilities for receiving the public, presenting the city’s collection and organising exhibitions. As a result, the museum will soon be ready for the future.’ said Tjeerd Vrij, director of the museum.

Crowd puller for the city centre

Plans for the renovation and expansion started in 2020. Even then, they highlighted the value of this museum ass an important part of the Museum Quarter of The Hague
Indeed, the Hague Historical Museum plays a crucial role in raising the profile of this cultural heart of the city. The preservation and modernisation of the building give the museum a solid basis to both be a museum for the entire city and emphasise its national character.

The museum expects to close its doors this autumn and hand over the keys to the contractor. During the renovation, the Hague Historical Museum will remain active in the city. With activities such as walks and guided tours, an education programme at schools and meetings at which the people of The Hague are invited to contribute to thinking about the renewed presentations in the museum. According to the current planning, the museum will reopen in spring 2027.