The American Pilgrim Museum is being reopened
The Pilgrim Museum is reopening its doors. On 1 January 2025, after being open for 28 years, the museum had to close. It will reopen in May 2025 at its new location: Villa Rameau, Kloksteeg 16a. This building was formerly the sexton’s house of the Pieterskerk. The new museum location is currently being renovated to accommodate the museum. The Pilgrim Museum showcases a piece of Leiden’s history and highlights the presence of the Pilgrims in the city before some of them set sail for America aboard the Mayflower. Previously, the museum told the story of how the Pilgrims lived in Leiden and their journey to America.
Vision chairman Choy Leiden American Pilgrim Museum
Regarding the reopening of the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, chairman Wang Choy stated: 'this new beginning offers us the opportunity to present the collection in its full glory, further explore the stories of the Pilgrims in Leiden, and build upon the scholarly work of our founder, Jeremy Bangs. Thanks to a larger space and more opening days, we will be able to welcome more visitors and researchers from around the world and organise temporary exhibitions.'
Vision Managing Director Pieterskerk Leiden
Regarding the new location of the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, Sebastiaan Lagendaal, Managing Director of Pieterskerk Leiden, stated: 'we are delighted that we can provide a home for the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum. The municipality of Leiden has brought our organisations together and our stories align perfectly. Our collaboration will attract new groups of visitors to the Pieterskerkplein and in terms of history and location, it is a perfect match. It was meant to be.'
