Scheepstra Kabinet: back to the classroom
A small museum in Roden in memory of Hindericus Scheepstra, author of the Ot en Sien reading books. You sit in a classroom from around a hundred years ago and write with a slate pencil or a dip pen.
A classroom from a hundred years ago
The Scheepstra Kabinet is a small museum in memory of Hindericus Scheepstra, the author of the little books about Ot en Sien, two neighbours’ children he created for teaching reading, and more besides. It is housed in the old Scheepstraschool, a school building from 1894 in Roden.
The museum is set up as an old classroom from around a hundred years ago. Naturally it has the letter board with aap – noot – mies, the first words generations of Dutch children learned to read, as well as the class wall chart and old school desks. The display cases hold everything about Hindericus Scheepstra, with many of his little books and the objects that go with them.
Back at a school desk
You are welcome to sit at the desks and write: with a slate pencil on a slate, or with a dip pen and ink from the inkwells in the desk, in lined exercise books.
Video films tell the story of Scheepstra and of education in the past, with former pupils and former teachers sharing their memories.
Temporary exhibition and museum shop
Every year from September to November there is a temporary exhibition in a classroom next to the museum, in the old Scheepstraschool. In 2026 it is ‘Toen getekend, nu gekiekt’ (drawn then, snapped now), from 6 September to 29 November: a selection of old school wall charts, mainly by Koekkoek, alongside present-day photographs by the nature photographer André Brasse from Roden. In 2027 the exhibition will be about punishment and reward.
During Oktober Kindermaand, the children’s month, admission is free for children aged 4 to 12 on weekends up to and including 31 October 2026. Outside, you can play hopscotch and games by the pictures from the reading board. The museum shop sells all kinds of things, even authentic Ot en Sien books.
Sit down at one of the old school desks and write a line with the dip pen, using ink from the inkwell in the desk.
Before you go
Regular weekend visits in the season; there are several exceptions around public holidays and events. Groups all year round by appointment.
The photographs are by the Scheepstra Kabinet.