Rotterdam Museum 40 45 NOW

The Rotterdam Museum ’40-’45 NOW comes from Arie Mast’s private collection. Mast, who was born in 1929 in Katendrecht, a neighborhood in Rotterdam, experienced the bombing of Rotterdam, the German occupation, and other wartime horrors as a child.

In the 1970s, Mast was advised to start collecting objects from World War II to cope with his war experiences. Ten years later, his collection had grown so large that the City Council provided a small building in Katendrecht to display the gathered artifacts.

In 1988, a group of resistance veterans formed a council, and the organization became a foundation.

Mast’s collection, which continued to grow, was moved to another building in 1995, and in 1997, the museum changed its name to the War and Resistance Museum Rotterdam. In 2006, the building where the museum was located was slated for demolition within six months, so a new venue had to be found.

The municipality made the move possible, and the museum could start anew. The relocation and extensive renovation took more than six months. On April 3, 2008, the museum reopened at its current location.

Since 2015, the museum merged with the Rotterdam Museum and became known as Rotterdam Museum ’40-’45 NOW.

The museum explores the detailed history of the city and its surroundings during the years of World War II (1940-1945).

It shares true stories about resistance fighters who bravely fought against the oppressors until the final day of the occupation, awaiting the arrival of Canadian troops.

It offers insights into the lives of Rotterdam citizens during the difficult years amidst the ruins of the destroyed city.

Additionally, it serves as a protest against the injustices that persist in the world today.

Rotterdam Museum ’40-’45 NOW. Coolhaven 375, 3015 GC Rotterdam

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