Consider for a moment, the sheer audacity of reclaiming land from water. Right here stands the Cruquiuspaviljoen. It is more than just a building. It’s a testament to Dutch ingenuity and their centuries-long battle against the sea.
The Cruquiuspaviljoen marks the spot where history meets innovation. It combines the collections of the Cruquius Museum, the Historisch Museum, and Meer-Historie all in one location. It tells the story of 2000 years of land, water, and air in the Haarlemmermeer. It highlights the Dutch struggle against water. It also explains the origins of Schiphol Airport.
In December 2023, construction began on this modern pavilion next to Gemaal De Cruquius. A celebration marked the start. Dignitaries signed a document. This commemorated the design process started in 2011 by the museum and Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau.
The Haarlemmermeermuseum De Cruquius is a place of remembrance. It reminds us of the constant fight against the water. It has been a key part of Dutch cultural heritage since 1934. The Cruquiuspaviljoen will combine the Historisch Museum Haarlemmermeer, Gemaal De Cruquius, and Theehuis Cruquius. They will unite into a museum with national appeal.
Soon, the museum will show the history of battling water. It will display the origins of the Haarlemmermeer municipality. Also, it will shed light on the future of water management. The museum’s appeal will continue to grow.
The building permit came in August 2022. The museum then worked with Building for Tomorrow and Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau. They refined the technical design. KernBouw was selected in the spring of 2023 to carry out the construction. The first phase of construction will take about 9 months. The second phase includes the connecting corridor between the pavilion and the pumping station. Both museums remain open during construction.
The total cost is estimated at 6.5 million euros. The municipality is contributing 5.399.700 euros. The foundation is contributing 1.100.300 euros through fundraising and crowdfunding.
But the Cruquius story goes back further. Nicolaas Kruik was a Dutch land surveyor. He promoted the idea of pumping the Haarlemmermeer dry. He latinized his name to Nicolaus Samuel Cruquius. The Haarlem Lake drainage was international news.
Early plans involved many mills. But steam pumping stations proved more effective. The pumping stations were named after planners. The one near Heemstede was called Cruquius. To serve the mill, workers founded the town of the same name. The dike was built in the 1840s. The pump started in 1850. It took three years to pump the Haarlem lake dry. The Cruquius station worked until 1933. Then, it became a museum.
The Cruquius Pumping Station is a Rijksmonument. It’s an Anchor Point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. It is the largest steam engine ever built. Harvey & Co built the engine. The piston diameter is 144 inches.
The ringvaart canal system is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam. Fort Vijfhuizen has art exhibitions. There is also a Fort Cruquius south of the museum. It also has World Heritage status.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers named the Cruquius Pumping Station a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1991.
Today, the Cruquiuspaviljoen stands as a modern extension of this legacy. It shows the past. It also looks to the future. It honors the ongoing struggle. It also celebrates the innovation that defines the Dutch spirit.