Museum en Werkplaats Houtstad IJlst
IJlst
Experience the history of IJlst during an active visit to: Museum and workshop Houtstad IJlst. IJlst has been connected with wood for many centuries.
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Wood through the ages
IJlst has been connected with wood for many centuries. Until the invention of the crankshaft in the Middle Ages, wood had to be worked by manpower. The crankshaft made it possible to turn a circular motion into an up-and-down movement and, therefore, to saw trunks using wind power. Due to the invention of the steam engine, wind power was no longer needed. The saw-frame developed for the windmill was now powered by steam. Later an electric motor was coupled with the saw-frame.Â
Sawing with steam!
In IJlst, you can see and experience the whole development of wood sawing: Sawmill De Rat still cuts trees into planks just like 300 years ago. In the Museum, the saw-frame is periodically driven by steam or electricity. You can also admire the human-powered saw with us!Â
IJlst: city rights for more than 750 years!
IJlst has a rich history, which is still reflected in its current form. On an authentic oak farmers flatboat (driven by electricity), you can get acquainted with the age-old location of IJlst, completely surrounded by water. Museum Houtstad IJlst exhibits a beautiful scale model of IJlst in full glory in the Golden Age! Our guides will gladly tell you the extraordinary stories about the origin of IJlst, the important Frisian shipping route from IJlst to Amsterdam, the shipbuilding industry, the timber trade and much more.Â
Nooitgedagt: skates, tools and toys
In the year 1865, Jan Nooitgedagt started making planes and chisels. With his four sons the company grew into an enterprise with more than 150 employees.
It is possible to experience 150 years of product development. Nowadays, Nooitgedagt tools are still praised for their quality. These tools deserve a second life and that is why duplicates are for sale at Museum Houtstad IJlst! The Museum Houtstad IJlst considers sustainability as one of its objectives.Â
Building Museum Houtstad IJlst
The museum building is inspired by wood construction from the past. Nine robust cubes form a complete whole. The building is energy neutral. It offers a marvellous view of the Sawmill and the ancient shipping route in the direction of Sneek: De Geeuw.
You can also enjoy the flower fountain, which many consider the most beautiful of the 11 fountains. IJlst itself offers cosy outdoor cafés and you can take a wonderful walk through the old town of IJlst and enjoy the unique gardens (overtuinen).Â
Here you will find Museum en Werkplaats Houtstad IJlst
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The liberation of Friesland 1
The liberation of Friesland 1
In early April, it became clear that the liberation of Friesland was imminent. Although the province had not suffered a real Hunger Winter like other parts of the Netherlands, there were severe shortages of just about everything. And the terror of the occupying forces was growing. This also led to increased resistance against the occupying forces. The battle between the two was tougher than ever in early 1945. Â
In Friesland, assault groups known as Knokploegen (KP) were responsible for most acts of resistance. But there were other groups too. On the orders of the Dutch government in London, all these groups were merged into the Dutch Domestic Armed Forces (NBS). In Friesland, this happened on 12 December 1944.Â
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The NBS, popularly referred to as the BS, gave the armed resistance an organisation with a clear structure. The NBS was also supposed to play a role in the upcoming liberation. To this end, resistance groups were provided with weapons from autumn 1944. These were dropped from the air. Â
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On 8 April, Radio Orange broadcast the message "The bottle is empty." This was the signal for the NBS to start carrying out sabotage operations 36 hours later. The aim was to make it as difficult as possible for the Germans to defend themselves against the approaching Allied forces.Â
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The resistance did this by putting bridges and railways out of order, blocking waterways and blocking roads. The response of the occupying forces was ruthless. In retaliation, dozens more prisoners were shot at different times and places. ÂOnce the Canadians entered Friesland on 12 April, they were supported extremely effectively by the Frisian resistance. Because it was superbly organised, they were able to help the Canadians take control of important bridges, repair damaged bridges, and advise on the most favourable route. Â
By 18 April, the whole province was liberated except for the Wadden Islands (these were liberated in late May and in June). Compared to other provinces, there was little fighting in Friesland. Overall, the few thousand German troops who had been unable to flee Friesland were defeated by the Canadians relatively quickly. Â
The commander of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Landell, praised the actions of the resistance by stating "Friesland liberated herself." While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, the actions of the Frisian resistance undoubtedly accelerated the liberation. And reduced the number of casualties on the Allied side. Â
In confrontations with German troops and their Dutch accomplices, at least 31 resistance fighters lost their lives. On the Allied side, at least eleven Canadians and one Frenchman were killed. The fighting and shelling also resulted in dozens of civilian casualties. The number of casualties on the German side is not known, but probably ran into the hundreds. With 320 houses destroyed and 4,000 damaged and 80 bridges destroyed, Friesland was materially the least damaged province in the Netherlands.Â
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Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
