Amsterdam Museum celebrates women’s contributions to city’s history
The Amsterdam Museum is set to honor the often-overlooked contributions of women to the city’s history with a new exhibition marking Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary. The museum aims to highlight the vital role women have played in shaping the city, countering what it calls the male-dominated narratives found in traditional history books.
“Without women, Amsterdam could not exist. Their presence has made and shaped the city,” said chief curator Imara Limon. “Yet the male perspective dominates historical accounts. This exhibition seeks to fill that gap in the city’s history.”
The exhibition will showcase over 100 women who left a significant mark on Amsterdam over the centuries. Featured items include depictions of the "stedenmaagd" (the virgin representing Amsterdam), works by feminist Joke Smit, and a tribute to HTKB, the first Turkish women’s organization in the Netherlands.
Other highlights include an evening gown and an audio installation by Tante Leen, a beloved singer from the Jordaan neighborhood. The exhibition opens Saturday and runs through August 31.
Due to renovations, the Amsterdam Museum is temporarily located at Amstel 51, sharing space with the H'ART Museum. The museum plans to return to its Kalverstraat location in 2028.
