Concerns about the future of Flessenscheepjesmuseum Enkhuizen: “This is a cry for help”

The Flessenscheepjesmuseum remains closed today as well. “We are only open on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. That is really not enough,” says founder and chairman Jan Hetteling. Even before corona there were not many volunteers, but after the start of the pandemic in February 2020, many employees stopped and did not return. Mostly older people who fell into the risk group.

From 5,000 to 350 visitors

Hetteling looks back on two difficult years. “In 2019 we still had 5,000 visitors. In 2020 that fell to 700 and last year there were only 350. We were more closed than open and therefore were unable to build up a buffer.”

He continues: “I don’t want to create the story that we are a sinking ship, but this is a cry for help to everyone that we need volunteers. In fact, we should be open seven days a week. Especially in the period May to September when a lot of tourists come again.”

Current employees try all kinds of things to attract new volunteers. Volunteer markets, consultation with voluntary organizations, but without success. “We do our best, we can’t do more. We are too small for paid employees. And getting subsidies is not easy either.”

Limited right to corona funds

The museum did receive a contribution from the culture fund for the rent in 2020. An application for 2021 is still pending. But to the great disappointment of Hetteling, the Reimbursement of Fixed Lasten (TVL) scheme passed them by.

“We only received money for one quarter. In addition, our fixed costs are relatively much higher than those calculated in the scheme. This is about 13,000 euros per year, half of our budget,” he explains.

“It is precisely the small museums that cause problems now. It is tight socks, more than tight actually. While things went quite reasonably well before corona,” continues the museum founder. “But I’ve never had such a bad experience as the past two years. If the government doesn’t change the rules, it will be very difficult.”

30th anniversary

Still, the Enkhuizer remains hopeful. “We are a small but unique museum in the world. This year we will be thirty years old, we may also start crowdfunding. And we will continue to try to recruit more volunteers. Because if we can run like in 2019 again, we will be within two level again this year, so volunteers who want something can report to me.”

View here a report we made in 2018 about the bottle ship museum