Leiden American Pilgrim Museum
This unassuming museum in Leiden documents the history of the Pilgrim Fathers who sailed to America (© Gateway to Leiden).
Location map and aerial view of Leiden American Pilgrim Museum. For a larger interactive view, see our Leiden Map.
Occupying a historic house, the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum recreates the Pilgrims' 11 years of residence in Leiden before they left for the New World.
History
In 1609, the Pilgrims arrived from England as refugees. After a short period in Amsterdam, the Pilgrims received official permission to live in Leiden. The city's response declared that
Leiden refuses no honest people free entry to come live in the city, as long as they behave honestly and obey all the laws and ordinances, and under those conditions the applicants' arrival here would be pleasing and welcome.
The Pilgrims spent 11 years in Leiden, during which time they came into contact with Dutch Mennonites, French Calvinists, and other religious dissenters. In 1620, the Pilgrims set sail for the New World on the Mayflower.
The Leiden American Pilgrim Museum was founded in 1997 inside a house dating from around 1370, which may have sheltered the Pilgrims during their stay in Leiden (but this is not certain).
What to See
The Leiden American Pilgrim Museum is located near the clock tower of the Hooglandsekerk in central Leiden in a small medieval house. The interior recreates aspects of the Pilgrims' daily lives and displays maps and engravings from the period. The museum also provides information on self-guided walking tours of the Pilgrims' Leiden.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Leiden American Pilgrim Museum |
| Location: | Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Pilgrims (Separatists) |
| Categories: | Museums; Historical Sites |
| Date: | 1370; 1997 |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Beschuitsteeg 9, Leiden, Netherlands |
| Coordinates: | 52.157832° N, 4.493515° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| E-mail: | bangsflynn@cs.com |
Travel Resources
- Leiden Map - our detailed interactive map of Leiden, plus hand-picked links to more
- Leiden Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Leiden Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
Article Sources
- Leiden American Pilgrim Museum - Frommers.com
- Leiden American Pilgrim Museum - The Pilgrims' Leiden
Last updated on August 9, 2010.
