De Dubbelde Palmboom
As I pressed send on the digital postcard I was sending my mum, I decided that I really liked the museum I was currently sitting in.
I’m a big sucker for museums where you get to try things out. Hands on activities have a way of bringing out the kid in me and I’m probably the one adult amongst all the kids that is being dragged out by my fellow museum goer or who is pushing the kids out of the way for my turn. Luckily, De Dubbelde Palmboom was pretty empty when we arrived early last Sunday, meaning I got priority at all the exhibits.
De Dubbelde Palmboom, is one of the three locations that make up the Museum Rotterdam. As you probably guessed the museum focuses on things about Rotterdam. The exhibitions change over time but on this particular visit they focused on technology through the ages, recycling, rooms and shops from earlier time periods and a couple of smaller exhibits.
You aren’t allowed to take photos in the museum which was really disappointing because not only were the displays worth taking photos of but so was the building, a double gated warehouse from the 19th century.
We had a great time. We started off playing with the old phones, as I attempted to connect RC’s telephone call to another telephone in the area via the old fashioned switchboard. We played records on the turntable, laughed at the Sony discman, attempted to beat each other at Atari and left messages in morse code for future guests. Downstairs we printed off stickers, dug for broken artefacts and walked down the carpeted street complete with life size, old fashioned shops and home interiors.
Outside was no less disappointing as De Dubbelde Palmboom is located in Delfshaven. One of the most historic and beautiful areas of Rotterdam. You can find out more about Delfshaven in my post tomorrow on the Transparent Language blog. Having survived the Luftwaffe bombardment in 1940, it is an area filled with historically protected buildings and a small harbour.
So, if you find yourself in the area definitely check the museum out. I don’t think you will regret it, no matter what the exhibition currently is.
That sounds like fun!!! I like museums were you can 'touch and play' as well. I probably would get in trouble though- because I tend to attempt to take pictures even when they say I can't LOL I got in trouble at Van Gogh because of that.. although I wasn't using the flash- which I knew would be damaging to the paintings. I think I need to make a trip to Rotterdam!
Ooohh, I am too much of a 'follow the rules' person to sneak photos. Getting told off equals complete embarrassment for me. :o)
It really was a great museum and if you like hands-on museums you should also check out Museon in Den Haag. That is another push the kids out of the way place. :)
I used to love going to the science museum in London as a kid for the same reason. Interactive exhibitionist are just so much more interesting.
I agree and the science museum in London is brilliant.