The Marine Corps Museum, located in Rotterdam, has been showcasing the rich history and origins of the Marine Corps since December 1995. It is part of the Royal Defense Museums Foundation (SKD) and occupies a historic area known as Wijnhaven.
The museum's roots trace back to 1938 when a collection of historical Marine Corps artifacts was initiated. Unfortunately, the Marine Corps barracks in Rotterdam, where these items were housed, were bombed by German aircraft on May 12, 1940, resulting in the loss of everything. However, in 1980, the current Marine Corps Museum was established. Until 1995, it was situated in the Hulstkamp building along the Maaskade in Rotterdam. On December 10, 1995, the museum was ceremoniously reopened by His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard, marking the significance of this location to the Marine Corps. This area saw fierce battles between the marines and the German forces in May 1940. The museum now occupies four historical 18th-century merchant houses, meticulously reconstructed stone by stone after they were dismantled for the construction of a railway tunnel.
Collection:
- The Raid on Chatham;
- The actions of the marines from the Marine Corps barracks at Oostplein in Rotterdam during World War II, where they were responsible for defending the Rotterdam ports, the Maas bridges, and the Waalhaven airport in Rotterdam. Due to the marines' actions, the German invaders decided to bomb Rotterdam in 1940;
- Post-war deployments in the Dutch East Indies;
- Recent missions in Iraq and Afghanistan;
- The special bond between the Marine Corps and the city of Rotterdam.
Additionally, between 1995 and 2003, the museum featured the shallow water minesweeper Hr.Ms. Houtepen, originally named Hr.Ms. Mahu. In 1995, it was officially renamed Houtepen, accompanied by the nameplate Houtepen and callsign M882. This vessel has an interesting history, transitioning from a marine to a (naval) aviator's namesake. Ultimately, it was transferred by the Royal Navy in 2003 and is now permanently docked in the Museum Harbor Amsterdam, situated on the former NDSM site.
