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22 May 2026

Restoring the Stone Merchant’s House: An Inside Look at Edam Museum’s Gothic Treasure

If you’ve ever wondered how a 16th-century landmark can still feel alive, start with the Stone Merchant’s House at Edam Museum. This late-Gothic treasure—built between 1540–1550—has been lovingly restored more than once, most notably under Pierre Cuypers and Victor de Stuers in the 1890s. Today, the Stone Merchant’s House blends architectural authenticity with memorable experiences, from its soaring timbered front room to the famous floating cellar.

In this guide, you’ll learn how the Stone Merchant’s House was preserved, what changed (and what didn’t), and exactly what to look for when you step inside.

A late-Gothic landmark, reborn as a museum

The Stone Merchant’s House is the oldest brick-built house in Edam and a signature example of late-Gothic domestic architecture. In 1893, the Edam city council purchased the then-neglected building and entrusted a comprehensive restoration to Pierre Cuypers—architect of Amsterdam Central Station and the Rijksmuseum—and conservation pioneer Victor de Stuers. The project culminated in 1895, when the house opened as Edam’s first museum.

Edam Museum has since grown into two historic locations in the city centre:

Together they tell the story of Edam’s rich past—shipbuilding, ceramics, architecture, notable families, and everyday life—through a diverse collection of paintings, ceramics, archaeological finds, furniture, and curiosities.

The restoration story: authenticity through time

Restoration isn’t a single moment; it’s a conversation across centuries. At the Stone Merchant’s House, three pivotal phases define that dialogue.

1) 17th-century transformation: a luxurious interior

In the 1600s, the house was renovated and fitted with what was then a luxurious new interior. Remarkably, much of that interior has changed very little since—a rare continuity that lets visitors step directly into the atmosphere of the “Golden Age.”

2) 1893–1895: Cuypers and De Stuers set the museum standard

3) 1950s and early 21st century: returning to origins and securing the future

Why restorations like this matter

Step inside: what to look for in the Stone Merchant’s House

From the threshold onward, the interior unfolds like a time capsule with layered details that speak to trade, taste, and daily life.

The Front Room (the merchant’s shop)

Enter directly into a majestic front room with high ceilings and heavy wooden beams. Look closely at the Gothic corbels—decorated with rosettes—that carry the beams. This was originally the merchant’s shop, the beating heart of business at the house.

The Upstairs Room (the office) and Bedsteads

From the upstairs room, used as an office, the merchant could survey activity below. In both the front and back of this upstairs space you’ll find bedsteads—built-in sleeping alcoves typical of the period.

The Corridor and Garden Room

A narrow corridor connects the front of the house to a chic 17th-century garden room at the rear. Historically, the corridor ran straight to a door in the back wall, with garden-room access through a side door. Later changes removed that wall, creating a single open area and relocating the rear door—subtle shifts that reflect evolving use while preserving the room’s elegance.

The Kitchen

Beneath the bedrooms and office lies a tiled kitchen, a few steps down from the corridor. Note the sink with pump and the large fire pit—elements that evoke a working household where commerce and domestic life intertwined.

The Floating Cellar (a Dutch original you can visit)

The Stone Merchant’s House is famous for its floating cellar: a loose container that literally floats on the groundwater. Because the museum stands on Dam Square—once controlled by a (sea) lock—the Zuiderzee’s ebb and flow influenced the water table. The cellar rose and fell with it, ensuring it never flooded. While floating cellars once existed in numbers (especially in Edam and Amsterdam), this is the only one in the Netherlands that is publicly accessible—making it a unique highlight of any visit.

There’s even an endearing legend: one former owner, a sea captain, supposedly commissioned the cellar because he missed the sensation of the sea, coming down to feel the water’s motion and hear its sounds.

Upper Floors and Attic Craftsmanship

The first and second floors historically served as storage for merchandise—an architectural reminder that this was a working merchant’s house. During the 1893–1895 restoration, a house for the director of the nearby Stads Teekenschool (Technical Drawing School) was created in the attic. The fixed display cabinets up there were made by W.O.J. Nieuwenkamp, an Edam-based artist—a refined touch that connects the building’s fabric with local craftsmanship.

Two locations, one story: how the house shapes your museum visit

Edam Museum’s narrative unfolds across its two historic sites:

Current and recent highlights you can explore include:

Quick answers: the Stone Merchant’s House at a glance

Practical takeaways for your visit

Conclusion: Step into the story, preserved in brick and beam

The Stone Merchant’s House shows what careful restoration can achieve: a building that wears its centuries openly—Gothic bones, 17th-century elegance, and modern conservation—while welcoming you into Edam’s living history. Whether you come for the architectural details, the legendary floating cellar, or the city’s unfolding story across two locations, this Gothic treasure is a must-see.

Plan your visit to the Stone Merchant’s House, then explore companion exhibitions at the Town Hall to complete your journey through Edam’s past:

Ready to explore Edam’s Gothic treasure? Start with the Stone Merchant’s House—and step straight into history.