Noordhollands Dagblad, April 3, 2001

Huis van de Aarde celebrates first five years with a Viking Show

contributed by a museum colleague

Wieringen - The Vikings returned to Wieringen. They were part of the festivities celebrating the five year anniversary of het Huis van de Aarde in Den Oever. Last weekend, the museum officially opened its new season.

There was a lot of activity where the Den Oever skating rink usually lies. Among other things, a settlement from the Middle Ages had been built. The inhabitants of the settlement demonstrated crafts, such as weaving, and prepared meals over a fire. These historical figures were members of De Wierde Wironii. "We try to represent, as accurately as possible, people from earlier times - what they looked like and what they did." explained Jan-Simon Hoogschagen.

Viking Treasure
Over time, as a result of the discovery of two Viking treaures in Wieringen, het Huis van de Aarde has turned its focus more to the study of the Middle Ages. One of the two original treasures, and a replica of the other, currently belong to the museum's collection.This season, het Huis van de Aarde has two new exhibits on display. One, put together by the Archeologisch Werkgroup Wieringen (Archaeology Work Group of Wieringen) is a collection of objects and jewelry, including buckles, fibulas (cloak pins) and three coins that were found in Wieringen.
The second exhibit consists of 12 dolls dressed in costumes from about 800 A.D. Frisians, Franks, and Vikings stand beside each other in a brotherly fashion. Geeske Kruzeman created the costumes. "History and textiles are my big hobbies, and I've combined them in these dolls". She studies clothing from the early Middle Ages. "Most of what we know is because of archaeology, but I also got some information from a biography on Charlemagne". Kruzeman had displayed her dolls earlier in the Dorestad Museum. The two exhibits have found a place in the dimly lit museum. On the bottom floor, the public can visit rooms typifying the Middle Ages.
The museum is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m, and on other days by appointment. There is also a lecture series. However, the future of the museum is somewhat uncertain, as this coming season is the last in the current location, the Haven Street farmhouse owned by Cees Klein. However, Petra Roorda has every confidence that, in cooperation with the community, a new location will be found.

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