Een kamer voor jezelf: An Exhibition Exploring Women's Housing History in Amsterdam

This exhibition installation explores the theme of women's housing in Amsterdam, inspired by Virginia Woolf's essay 'A Room of One's Own.' It traces the historical development of housing forms specifically for single women in the city, from the medieval Beguinage to modern dwellings.

From August 15 to September 28, 2025, Museum Het Schip will feature 'Een kamer voor jezelf' (A Room of One's Own) in its auditorium. This travelling exhibition installation, originally presented in 2021 by Laura Lubbers and Fabiola Eekhout, delves into the history of women's housing in Amsterdam. Drawing inspiration from Virginia Woolf's 1929 essay, the exhibition highlights that while a 'room of one's own' is fundamental for many, it has historically been a privilege rather than a norm for women. The installation showcases various forms of housing for single women in Amsterdam throughout the centuries, including the Beguinage (14th century), the Jordaan's hofjes, the Louise Wenthuis, and the Klokkenhof (1962). These spaces reflect evolving societal views on women and their place in the city, illustrating a narrative of progressive emancipation. The exhibition connects these historical and spatial contexts through archival materials and interviews with current residents, presented within a large cube structure. Visitors can view exterior displays of photographs, architectural descriptions, and historical document facsimiles, while interior audio fragments offer personal stories from residents.

This exhibition is shown in the auditorium of Museum Het Schip. Visitor information regarding museum admission and potential separate ticketing for the auditorium or special installations should be sought from the museum's official visitor services or website sections not detailed on this page.