Vestingmuseum Oudeschans (; ) is a local museum in the village of Oudeschans in the Netherlands. The museum showcases the history of the 16th-century fortification of Oudeschans and has a collection of archaeological findings.
The museum opened on 12 September 1987. The building was renovated in 2009. The museum lost its structural municipal subsidy in 2010. The museum staff consists of volunteers only. With 1,195 visitors in 2015, it is one of the lesser-visited museums in Groningen.
Location The museum is located at the Molenweg in the village Oudeschans in the municipality Bellingwedde in the east of the province Groningen near the Dutch–German border.
The Bellingwolderschans (Sconce of Bellingwolde) was a fortification created in 1593 by William Louis, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg during the Eighty Years' War. It was renamed Oudeschans (Old Sconce) after the construction of the nearby Nieuweschans (New Sconce) in 1628. Oudeschans was used for military purposes until 1814. In the 1980s, the fortification was partially reconstructed. De vesting, Stichting Vesting Oudeschans. Retrieved on 7 February 2014. In 1991, the fortification became a state protected village area (). Overzicht van aangewezen en in procedure zijnde stads- en dorpsgezichten , Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, 2013. Retrieved on 8 February 2014.
History The museum was opened on 12 September 1987.
In 2009, the museum building underwent a major renovation.
Exhibitions
The museum shows the history of the fortification of Oudeschans and of other fortifications in the area. Vestingmuseum, Stichting Vesting Oudeschans. Retrieved on 7 February 2014. Vestingmuseum Oudeschans weer geopend, Marketing Groningen, 2009. Retrieved on 7 February 2014.
On display in the museum are archaeological findings from the 17th and 18th century, such as pottery, household objects, shoes, weapons, and ammunition. There are information panels and a video presentation in Dutch and German.
The museum also has temporary exhibitions.
Administration Year Visitors Year Visitors 2003 3,000 Intermuseaal Extra Februari 2008, Museumhuis Groningen, 2008. Retrieved on 3 September 2013. 2010 1,500 2004 1,500 2011 750 2005 1,500 2012 800 2006 N/A 2013 1,200 2007 1,500 2014 1,100 2008 1,000 Bezoekcijfers musea aangesloten bij Museumhuis Groningen, Museumhuis Groningen. Retrieved on 7 February 2014. 2015 1,195 2009 N/A
The museum staff and board consist of only volunteers. Stichting Vesting Oudeschans, Stichting Vesting Oudeschans. Retrieved on 11 June 2014. The museum receives an annual subsidy of around 1000 euro of the municipality."Vesting krijgt toch weer geld", Dagblad van het Noorden, 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
Vestingmuseum Oudeschans is one of the lesser-visited museums in the province of Groningen. In the years 2010 to 2015, the museum had 750 to 1,500 visitors per year.
The museum is a member of Museumhuis Groningen (Groningen Museum House), Leden Museumhuis , Museumhuis Groningen. Retrieved on 7 February 2014. an umbrella organization for museums and heritage institutions in the province of Groningen. Over ons Museumhuis Groningen. Retrieved on 7 February 2014.
References
External links
Vestingmuseum Oudeschans