"Museum 1940-1945" is a historical museum located in Dordrecht, a city in the Dutch province of South Holland. Established in 1988, this museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of World War II and highlighting Dordrecht's unique role during that period.
During World War II, Dordrecht held strategic significance due to its proximity to vital rail and road bridges near Moerdijk and Zwijndrecht. Today, the city boasts more than twenty monuments and plaques that serve as poignant reminders of the wartime era.
Officially inaugurated by Prince Bernhard in June 1988, the museum is housed in a charming historic building along the Nieuwe Haven (New Harbor). Additionally, within the museum, there is a commemorative plaque honoring two police officers who tragically lost their lives in 1944.
Adjacent to the Nieuwe Haven stands the former residence of Paul L. Kooiman, the leader of the resistance group known as "Paul" and the district commander of the Dutch domestic forces ("Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten"). In 1988, a plaque was unveiled on the façade of his home in recognition of his courageous role during the war.
