Deventer

De Waag and the Speelgoedmuseum both stand on Brink, but preserve different aspects of Deventer. At De Waag, paintings, everyday objects and archaeological finds help tell the town’s history. At the toy museum, the emphasis shifts to the things people gave children to play with. A museum day around the same square becomes an introduction to both the municipal collection and the everyday life reflected in toys.

These collections also change the way the buildings are understood. De Waag is itself a historic building, while the toy museum occupies two old merchants’ houses. Their façades form part of the townscape, yet inside, very different objects draw attention. The short distance between the museums makes it possible to combine them without spending an afternoon travelling. Two visits allow time for a selection from each collection.

Beyond Brink, art and heritage take other forms. The former Bergkerk hosts exhibitions and concerts. Museum EICAS on Nieuwe Markt connects the Nul and ZERO movements with contemporary art. An introduction to Deventer can therefore extend from historic objects and toys to art that raises different questions about what an artwork can be.