Bijbels Museum (Cromhouthuizen) in Amsterdam Publishes Landmark Account of Collection Transfer
The Bijbels Museum, nestled within the historic Cromhouthuizen canal houses in Amsterdam, has released a significant publication detailing its unique journey of deaccessioning its entire collection. Titled "De toekomst van een collectie. Ontzamelen in de praktijk." (The future of a collection. Deaccessioning in practice.), the book chronicles the museum's strategic shift in 2020, which saw the successful transfer of almost all its artifacts to fellow museums and heritage institutions.
Authored by Carolien Croon, director of the Bijbels Museum, and Tessa Luger, a movable heritage specialist from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the publication offers valuable insights for museum professionals and students. The first copy was presented to Irene Asscher-Vonk, former chair of the Dutch Museum Association, on January 24, 2022.
A New Direction for the Bijbels Museum's Collection
In May 2017, the museum's board made the pivotal decision to divest its entire collection of approximately 22,000 objects, allowing the museum to continue operating without a permanent collection of its own. This initiated an intensive process of transferring the artifacts. The deaccessioning of museum objects by registered institutions is governed by strict regulations, including the Ethical Code for Museums and the Guideline for Deaccessioning Museum Objects (LAMO 2016).
However, the complete deaccessioning of an entire collection presented an exceptional challenge, as existing laws and regulations did not always provide direct solutions for such a comprehensive undertaking. The process involved thorough preparation, including the valuation of various sub-collections, with advice from the Cultural Heritage Agency and independent experts.
Finding New Homes for Historical Artifacts Across Dutch Heritage
Through careful planning, dedication, and creativity, the Bijbels Museum successfully found new homes for the majority of its objects. For instance, the more than 150-year-old collection assembled by Reverend Leendert Schouten was relocated to Museum Catharijneconvent. A portion of the archaeological collection found a new home at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden.
Other significant transfers included objects going to institutions such as the Jewish Museum, the National Education Museum, the Dutch Open Air Museum, Beeld en Geluid, and Vrije Universiteit. This journey of rehousing and re-purposing the collection provided important lessons for the broader museum and heritage sector, contributing to the ongoing development of national collection policies.
Accessing the Publication
The creation of "De toekomst van een collectie. Ontzamelen in de praktijk." was made possible through financial contributions from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and the Mondriaan Fund. Although printed copies are no longer available, the publication can be downloaded as a free PDF document for those interested in the details of this groundbreaking project here.
This initiative underscores the evolving nature of cultural institutions and their stewardship of heritage. To explore other cultural spots in Amsterdam and beyond, visit Musemap (musemap.art) where you can browse museums or search for unique experiences.
