Zandvoort Museum Collection
The Zandvoorts Museum’s collection tells the story of Zandvoort through the centuries. Paintings by artists such as Thérèse Schwartze and Johannes H.B. Koekkoek depict the landscape, the sea, and village life. In addition, the Bakels Collection, featuring historical photographs, offers a unique glimpse of Zandvoort and its residents dating back to the 19th century.
Bakels Collection
The Zandvoort Museum manages an extensive collection of original photographs, negatives, and glass plates from the Bakels family. This collection is an indispensable resource for the history and cultural heritage of Zandvoort. Photographer Anthonie Bakels (1852–1939) was Zandvoort’s premier village photographer from the second half of the nineteenth century onward. With his camera, he captured daily life in the coastal village in a unique and meticulous way. His photographs not only show Zandvoort’s development as a seaside resort but also everyday village life. Bakels’ work was later continued by his son and grandchildren, resulting in an exceptional photographic archive spanning several generations. Together, they documented the changes in the village, the coast, and tourism.
