De Spitkeet: living with little room
The De Spitkeet open-air museum in Harkema presents simple forms of housing and the lives of people on the heath. The route described passes different kinds of dwellings and leaves room for residents’ stories.
From outside to inside
The museum mentions a spitkeet (sod hut), wâldhúskes (small houses typical of the region), a pikehok (chicken coop) used as a home, and simple brick houses. The furnishings and explanations help you better understand differences in material and use.
Voices at the houses
According to the organisation, the audio tour brings stories from former residents. Allow time for this as well as for looking around: a building can show a lot, but not every experience can be read from walls or furniture. The personal commentary therefore forms a layer of its own.
No rush along the route
A comparison works best if you do not look at everything at once. For example, follow the arrangements for sleeping, cooking and storage through the dwellings described, without filling in beforehand how the residents experienced them. Let the museum’s explanations guide you.
Include the audio tour in your time planning; the visit involves more than looking at buildings.
Before you go
The regular season runs from April to early November. Groups can visit by appointment outside the regular schedule.