Water Heritage

From its centuries-old past, the Water Board possesses much water heritage. In the landscape, the polder mills, old pumping stations and dikes naturally catch the eye immediately. But we also possess a large collection of objects from the water board's past: from beautiful maps and beautifully engraved glasses to millwright's tools. All these monuments and objects contribute to historical awareness and collective memory. They are part of the DNA of North Holland and make the water story tangible.

  • 450 years of Leeghwater 1575-2025

    Online exhibit celebrating the 450th anniversary of the birth of Jan Adriaenszoon Leeghwater.

  • On the dike!

    Online exhibition of eighteen artworks created by VWO-6 students at the Han Fortmann in Heerhugowaard (2025).

  • Water Treasure

    The masterpieces from our water heritage collection are on display in the permanent exhibition Water Treasure.

  • Water heritage highlighted

    Pumping stations, mills, dikes and locks tell the story of the struggle against water. We highlight some of them.

  • Friends of the Hondsbossche

    Become a Friend and receive an annual booklet on the rich water history of the North Quarter. 

  • App Westfriese Omringdijk

    Our free app brings to life the traces of the battle against the water with stories, photos and Maps.

  • Bicycle routes

    To mark 400 years of the Purmer (2022), two bicycle routes have been created: one through the northern and one through the southern part of the polder.

  • 'Story of Hollands Noorderkwartier' grant scheme

    We subsidize activities that interface with our water duties or our water heritage.

  • Subsidy scheme for polder mills Hollands Noorderkwartier

    We support owners of polder mills in our management area with an (annual) contribution for activities that maintain the polder mills.

  • Storm surge 1953

    The storm surge of January 31-February 1, 1953 is engraved in our national memory as THE RAMP for a reason. The storm also claimed six lives on Texel.

  • Up in the clouds!

    Online exhibition of thirteen artworks created by VWO-6 students of the Han Fortmann in Heerhugowaard (2024).

  • Ode to the Shore

    Online exhibition of eight artworks created by VWO-6 students at the Han Fortmann in Heerhugowaard (2023).

  • The Dike of the Future?

    Online exhibition of fourteen artworks created by VWO-6 students of the Han Fortmann in Heerhugowaard (2022).

  • In the Mirror of Water

    Online exhibition of fourteen artworks created by VWO-6 students of the Han Fortmann in Heerhugowaard (2021).

Did this information help you?