in detail
The Rotterdam War and Resistance Museum was initially a private undertaking: the long-standing director of the museum, Arie Mast, was advised in the 1970s to collect objects from the Second World War as a therapeutic activity to help his war trauma. This collection was finally exhibited to the public ten years later in the Katendrecht area of the city of Rotterdam, originally under the title »Occupied-Liberated 1940-1945«. In 1988, a Foundation of the same name was set up and, in 1997, the building was renamed »Rotterdam Museum of War and Resistance«. Since 2000, the museum has become more professional with a full-time director and, at the same time, an extension of its activities, for example, in the form of educational programmes. Nevertheless, the work of volunteers, for example the guided tours by eyewitnesses, still plays a significant role.
The collection and exhibition of the Museum of War and Resistance focuses on Rotterdam, whereby reports from eyewitnesses are given special attention. In 2004, the »Eyewitness Project« began, in which 120 eyewitnesses from Rotterdam were interviewed professionally.
The Rotterdam Museum of War and Resistance was established in the 1970s on the private initiative of the founding director Arie Mast. Since the 1980s, there has been an exhibition in the Rotterdam area of Katendrecht, which has been known as the »Museum of War and Resistance« since 1997. The collection and exhibition focus on Rotterdam, and the reports of eyewitnesses play a significant role.
1970s
Arie Mast started a private collection of objects from the Second World War to deal with his war trauma.
1980s
Exhibition of the collection in a building provided by the City of Rotterdam in Rechthuislaan in the district of Katendrecht.
1988
Establishment of the ‘Occupied – Liberated’ Foundation.
1997
Name change to ‘The Rotterdam War and Resistance Museum Foundation`.
2000
Resignation of the founding director Arie Mast; employment of a full time director; professionalization of the museum.
2004
Start of the ‘Eyewitness Project’, in which 120 eyewitnesses from Rotterdam were interviewed.
