Revitilization Open Air Museum Fort New Amsterdam

In his annual speech in 2006, the President of the Republic of Suriname indicated that it would be desirable to facilitate the privatization of the Nieuw Amsterdam open-air museum. Erik Schilp, the director of the Zuiderzee Museum, has been requested to develop a plan for this project.
Fort Nieuw Amsterdam is situated at a strategic and also visually magnificent location, accessible via both land and water. Set amid striking flora and fauna, it is a popular recreation area for walkers. In addition, there are interesting cultural-historical attractions in the former plantation zone in the immediate vicinity. It is an ideal location for an open-air museum.
An open-air museum is an extremely complex concept, and there is always the danger that the planners will try to freeze time and thus create a picture postcard. This factor forces us to seek points of equilibrium.
In order to be a true inspiration to visitors, there should not only be an attempt to realize a museum layout that is as attractive as possible, but there should also be a set-up based on exhibitions and activities, thus guaranteeing a dynamics that stimulates visitors to come again and eventually develop a bond with the museum. We refer to this point of equilibrium as the balance between the static and the dynamic.
Due to the necessity to become embedded in indigenous culture, an open-air museum cannot be based on tourist principles. Nevertheless, it should always be attractive to visitors from abroad. This promotes the status of the museum and, consequently, enhances funding possibilities. Of course, every visit contributes to the operating costs. And this is the second point of equilibrium: national versus international.
Moreover, the past always lives in the shadow of the present. In other words, the past can only be understood in the context of the present. Displaying the past in a cultural-historical museum is meaningless if that occurs as a narrative without present-day relevance. This is the third and last point of equilibrium: past versus present and future.

OBJECTIVES
Set up an open air museum

See also:
Municipality of Amsterdam (Organisation)