Maritime History Working Group
The Maritime History Working Group (Wurkgroep Maritime Skiednis) aims to promote the study of and interest in Fryslân's maritime history, including with an annual symposium.
Persons actively researching (Frisian) maritime history themselves can become members of the working group. There is no membership fee, but members are asked to be donors of the Fryske Akademy. Please send applications and questions for more information to the secretary of the working group.
Founding year
2008
Board and contact
Chair: Jan Auke Walburg
Secretary: Peter Tolsma
Secretary: Hester Postma (e-mail)
Board members: Hanno Brand, Johan Steendam, Jelle Jan Koopmans
About the Maritime History Working Group
The Maritime History Working Group works on various activities, such as those listed below:
- Organising public conferences on (Frisian) maritime history;
- Promoting the publication of research results;
- Promoting the disclosure and accessibility of relevant sources;
- Promoting mutual exchanges among members.
Reports
- Verslag ledenbijeenkomst Earnewâld 18 oktober 2025(NL)
- Verslag symposium watersnood 1825 WMS 2025(NL)
- Jaarverslag Werkgroep Maritieme Geschiedenis 2024(NL)
- Jaarverslag Werkgroep Maritieme Geschiedenis 2023(NL)
- Jaarverslag Werkgroep Maritieme Geschiedenis 2020-2021-2022(NL)
- Jaarverslag Werkgroep Maritieme Geschiedenis 2019(NL)
- Jaarverslag Werkgroep Maritieme Geschiedenis 2018(NL)
- Jaarverslag Werkgroep Maritieme Geschiedenis 2017(NL)
- Jaarverslag Werkgroep Maritieme Geschiedenis 2016(NL)
- Jaarverslag Werkgroep Maritieme Geschiedenis 2015(NL)
- Jaarverslag Werkgroep Maritieme Geschiedenis 2014(NL)
Agenda
Invitation
18 October members' meeting in the Skûtsjemuseum Earnewâld
Johan Prins, builder of the replica of the skûtsje the Aebelina, which was so fast it was not allowed to compete, talks about the construction of the ship and why it was so fast. The ship can be viewed after the break, when founder and director of the museum, Age Veldboom, guides us around and tells stories about the ships and other items in the collection.
Walk-in 13:00, start 14:00.
More information >>
Saturday 6 March 2026, Tresoar, Leeuwarden
Joint meeting with the Genealogical Working Group and NGV, with a lecture by Jan Auke Walburg on 'Friezen op zee. De Gouden eeuw van de koopvaardij in Friese steden en dorpen’
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Earlier in the season 2024/2025
12 April 2025, Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal, Lemmer
Annual symposium Maritime History Working Group.
With: Lotte Jensen (Radboud University Nijmegen), author of the award-winning book 'Wij en het water' is the keynote speaker. Shorter presentations will be given by Otto Knottnerus, Frits David Zeiler, Mark Raat and Jan-Dirk Wagenaar, among others.
More information and tickets >>>
5 October 2024, Museum Hindeloopen
Members' meeting with 2 lectures and the opportunity to view the renovated museum. Start 13:30 hrs.
Invitation NL/Frl