In 2015, the museum acquired a painting from the Zaan period (4 June – 8 October 1871) of the French impressionist painter Claude Monet, entitled 'The Voorzaan and the Westerhem'.

It sets itself the objective of offering extra depth to tourist visits to the Zaanse Schans by linking the archetypal image of 'Holland' with the factual history of the Zaan region.

It is based on the collection of the Vereniging tot Instandhouding en Uitbreiding der Zaanlandse Oudheidkundige Verzameling Jacob Honig Janszoon Junior (Society for the Preservation and Expansion of the Zaan Region Antiquarian Collection Jacob Honig Janszoon Junior).

Within the residential culture collection, the museum displays the traditional regional costume, Zaan-style painted furniture, and tools and utensils found in Zaandam homes.

The industrial collection comprises heritage originating from major Zaan-based companies such as Verkade, Bruynzeel, Honig, Albert Heijn, and Lassie.

A new introduction for the permanent collection - in which ‘Old Holland’ is explained as an important reason for tourists to visit the Zaanse Schans - is currently being prepared and is expected to open in 2017/2018.

This collection comprises photos, displays, packaging, posters, and three working production lines for chocolate, biscuits, and tea light candles.

In 2015, the museum acquired a painting from the Zaan period (4 June – 8 October 1871) of the French impressionist painter Claude Monet, entitled 'The Voorzaan and the Westerhem'.

The original exhibition of ‘Zaanlandsche Oudheden en Merkwaardigheden’ (Zaan antiquities and curiosities) was held at the Zaandam city hall in August and September 1874.

A modern reconstruction of this nineteenth-century exhibition shows what the people of the time considered to be typical of the Zaan region.

The exhibition ‘Monumenten spreken’ (Monuments speak) tells the story of the Second World War in the Zaan region.

The barrels produced served as packaging material for butter, milk, vinegar, oil, fish, fruit, vegetables, jenever (Dutch gin), rum, and all kinds of beer and wine.

Children and adults alike can take a step back in time by dressing up in traditional Zaan costumes from that period.

At the Honig Breet House, visitors can experience how a family of merchants and paper makers lived in the Zaan region in 1830.

A new introduction for the permanent collection - in which ‘Old Holland’ is explained as an important reason for tourists to visit the Zaanse Schans - is currently being prepared and is expected to open in 2017/2018.

The monumental buildings, objects, photos, films, and documents show the history of the former Artillerie Inrichtingen (government ordnance works) and the Hembrug site as the military, logistical heart of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.

In cooperation with the Municipality of Zaanstad, the Zaans Museum is developing an art exhibition venue in the historic city centre of Zaandam.

The content of the exhibition venue will focus on international visitors in particular, displaying typically Dutch works of art that do justice to the archetypal image of 'Holland' .