leiden american pilgrim museum

This museum was made special by the host who seemed genuinely interested in everything and loved telling you about the artifacts. Very interesting

Several days ago I saw some people walk up to the door of the museum, on which there is a sign when the museum is open that says "open." They then turned away and walked up and down the street a bit. Often Dutch people are interested by the museum building, peer in the windows, read the sign on the door and decide that paying 5 Euros to see the oldest house in Leiden (built in 1370) and learn about the Pilgrims (whose importance to America is greater than their importance to the Dutch) is too expensive. I do not bother them. But when these people appeared to be possibly interested, even though they had not knocked on the door or rung the bell, I opened the door and asked if they wanted to visit the museum. (I did not ask "what they wanted," as they put it.) The man started immediately complaining that they had come earlier on a day when the museum is not open, despite the fact that the museum's opening days are clearly indicated on the museum's website and in numerous tourist guides. I asked if, since they were now at the museum on a day it is open, they wanted to visit the museum. The man continued to complain, indicating that in his view it was misleading to have a door sign that said "open" when the door itself was closed and did not open to his pushing it. Of course the door is closed - it is part of our security. When people knock or ring the bell, I open the door. After i again asked if they would like to visit, he indicated that he felt some sort of apology was due, and said further that they now no longer had time or interest. So I shut the door and went back to my research, which is what I do when there are no visitors. If I ran a review of visitors, I'd give him no more than one star. But I imagine that he will cherish his sense of grievance at least until the next situation he confronts does not meet his expectations.

For some untold reason, Dr. Bangs was not at the museum the day I visited;I got the impression that his wife didn't know where he was. Although she tried hard to step in, she is by no means the expert, and said so. She absolutely could have told us about other Pilgrim sites in Leiden but did not even do that. Feel ripped off.

Not at all what I expected. Very small (two rooms). But... the gentleman who is the curator is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. In the 45 minutes we were there I gained more information and insight into The Netherlands, our own US history and world history.

Very small museum run by the top person in Pilgrim History, Dr. Jeremy Bangs. He is a wealth of information.

Did you know the Pilgrims's voyage started in Leiden? I didn't, but thanks to Jeremy Bangs the Director of the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum Foundation, I found out more about the Pilgrims that I thought possible. This is a tiny museum, only two separate rooms in the oldest building in Leiden, but it gave us a chance to learn about the daily life and culture of the pilgrims in an authentic setting. Mr. Bangs is an American historian who knows all there is to know about them and possibly more! After a brief introduction, he answered our questions with expertise and wit. His great knowledge and sense of humor made history come alive,.. no pre-made speech here! It was one of the most interesting and informative experiences I ever had! The American Pilgrim Museum in Leiden is only open Wednesdays through Saturdays 1-5 pm. We delayed our departure for Amsterdam in order to visit it and it was well worth it!

This is not so much a museum as a tour of one of the oldest buildings in Leiden, full of artifacts and antiques, and with a brilliant curator who is one of the experts on Pilgrim History. The curator was extremely knowledgeable and although I've heard the story of the pilgrims my entire life, learned quite a bit of new information.

A candle lite single room in the oldest home in Leiden with a brilliant curator and guide, who literally wrote the book on pilgrim history. Come with questions and you will leave feeling like the story is much more rich than you imagined and wanting to come back.

Although there are museum type objects, this is no ordinary "museum" experience, more a stepping back in time visiting a tiny late 16th century home and listening to stories and experiences from the time of the Pilgrim Fathers.The curator/archivist is very knowledgable. I have never felt this close to being inside a 17th Dutch interior painting with the light coming through the small windows.A wonderful experience for adult visitors with an interest in the Pilgrim Fathers.

Though small, this two-room museum provides a rare look into the interior of what may be the oldest houses in Leiden. More than just a review of the Pilgrim experience in Leiden before a large group of the religious Separatists sailed famously to Massachusetts (long story there of course....), this museum can provide whatever -- and as much as -- you might want to know about the subject. The principal staff person is probably the most knowledgeable person on the topic who is currently living -- whether in Holland or America. A gem ! But if you're not interested, you won't get innundated with lots of information. So, do feel free to ask questions. And while it's not a "Pilgrim house," a Pilgrim likely visited there, and few houses with direct connections to a Pilgrim survive (and most old houses in much of the country have been renovated). This is a rare and wonderful chance to see inside a really, really old house (or, actually, two houses -- late 1500s and early 1600s) that has no been modernized. And even if it's just two rooms, two rooms of that age are amazingly rare ! (see also review by cafe_fan_12)

The American Pilgrim Museum in Leiden is only open Wednesdays through Saturdays 1-5 pm. If you can't visit it then, stop by the Leiden Visitors Center near the Central Station and ask for the "Leiden Pilgrim Tour" booklet (with map). It provides information about 15+ sites related to the American Pilgrims' time in Leiden between 1609 and 1620.Hint: The monument commemorating the Pilgrims' departure from Leiden is relatively modern and tucked below Boisotkade near the Vliet Canal.

This is really just two small unconnected neighboring rooms (you have to go outside to get from one to the other) in what is purported to be the oldest house in Leiden ... which actually has no relationship to the Pilgrims other than being in the general area of the town where they lived. This is a jumbled collection of things laid around and in drawers, many of them from the era in which the Pilgrims lived in Leiden, a few (clay pipes) made by pilgrims, but some from the neighboring Antique store. When you enter you are presented with written material mounted like prints which you can read. Other than that, you just ask questions. The building is actually owned by the people who live upstairs so you only have access to the two rooms. Not sure that it was worth 4 Euros to see.

A tiny museum--no glass cases, no labels, no barriers, no recordings or apps.Instead the chance to see and learn about the daily life and material culture of the pilgrims during their Leiden sojourn in an authentic environment and from the museum's founder and curator himself. He probably knows more about the pilgrims than anyone anywhere since the pilgrims themselves. He is also an expert on Leiden life and artefacts of the era and answers your questions in conversation. (How nice not to get a canned spiel for once.) It's a great privilege to be able to hold some of the artefacts. The house is simple and lovely--typical of its time. With books, furniture, textiles, pottery, even a seventeenth century sock, and all sorts of other small objects of daily life (buttons, dog footprints, quill pens). The material world of the pilgrims is tangible and visible here. This was a simple cottage, not a wealthy residence. It is tranquil and lovely.Next door is another part of the same building which has been largely restored to its medieval original state and furnished appropriately. Also fascinating. Both houses feel like walking into a painting. If you like the idea of stepping off a busy central street into a magical and informative experience of the past, don't miss this. And be sure to check out the antique store next door where many of the objects came from.

We visited this old house recently for the first time though have lived in Leiden for 20 yrs. It seems to be not a 'recognized' museum (they don't accept the museum card like most Dutch museums, they collect admission in a small bowl, are not open many hours) but a interesting info from the historian who explains about the pilgrims in Leiden. He takes you through the several rooms to show how a house looked in those days. You can ask questions and he gives good & informed answers. This is not a large museum but kind of 'icing on the cake' kind of thing in the wonderful city of Leiden; if you see it's open (it's right in the center) you can hop in & get some historical context to the pilgrims' stay in Leiden

Americans definitely should visit this museum because of its link to the Mayflower & early America! The man at the museum knows so much & is willing to share it all & even let you hold the several hundred year old doll plates & toys, touch his antique delft tiles & sit in the 800 year old chair! Almost everything here is from the time in which pilgrims occupied Leiden...all the way down to the toilet! (by the way, no working toilet here for visitors, but he will direct you to the nearby library for a modern toilet that is free!) The museum is not very clearly marked, so look closely for the sign on the door & the number. It consists of two rooms...one protestant, one catholic with antiquities from each period & a wonderful guide to expand your knowledge! It's especially helpful if you can ask questions...and they can also provide you with a map for a Pilgrim walking tour of Leiden.