History of the Museum

Allard Pierson
The name of the Allard Pierson Museum derives from the first professor Classical Archaeology at the University of Amsterdam, Allard Pierson. This former clergyman, was invited in 1877 to occupy the chair of Aesthetics, Art History and Modern Languages. Although he collected plaster casts, this collection was not even approaching a real museum.

Professor J. Six and the Allard Pierson Foundation
The second professor, who taught archaeology at the Amsterdam University, was J. Six. He owned a large collection of books and antiques, which he made available for education and research. When he died in 1926, the Allard Pierson Foundation was established in order to purchase this collection. The attic of the Institute of the Department of Mediterranean Archaeology at the Weesperzijde served as a museum from 1931.

The Scheurleer Collection
The banker C. W. Lunsingh Scheurleer, victimized by the 1929 crisis, was forced to sell the collection of his museum. The Allard Pierson Foundation was able to buy the collection. It was then handed to the University of Amsterdam, on condition that the new collection would be publicly displayed. On the 12th of November 1934, the Allard Pierson Museum opened its doors to a building on the Sarphatistraat.

The Oude Turfmarkt
Many gifts and loans have since then enriched the collection. Especially under professor-director J.M. Hemelrijk important acquisitions were made. With these, a new building had become absolutely necessary. H.R.H. Princess Beatrix opened in 1976 the new housing in the old building of the Nederlandsche Bank at the Oude Turfmarkt. Many exhibitions have since then propagated the name of the museum. Exhibitions as The Etruscans, Krete, cradle of Europe, Marble Sculpture, Myths, People and Music, Young in Antiquity, Be seated! and Colour! attracted large numbers of visitors. Since1994 these exhibitions were held in a new wing.
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Mission Statement
The mission of the Allard Pierson Museum - as a University museum and in cooperation with the Department of Mediterranean Archaeology - is to make the Mediterranean Antiquity accessible for scholarly purposes (for Academic and other training and research) as well as for a broad audience with special attention for youths. The museum is displaying original antiquities and other objects as one of the sources of Western tradition to put the present in a culture-historical perspective by means of insight in and understanding of the past.
The museum has a specific and essential place in the cultural environment of the city of Amsterdam. It aims at being a relaxing place, and a stimulating and inspiring surrounding for visitors and staff.