New research maps the scents of Friesland

Grants for innovative projects at the intersection of heritage, scent, and design

More and more people are realizing how important smells are to our memories, feelings, and identity. Yet scent is still barely visible or tangible in the field of heritage. Een Neus voor Erfgoed (A Nose for Heritage) —a collaboration between KNAW Humanities Cluster (Meertens Institute and NL-Lab), Fryske Akademy, and IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances)—wants to change this by giving scent a place of its own in heritage research, museums, and archives.

The project, which runs from February 2026 to June 2027, is led by Prof. Inger Leemans (professor of Cultural History and principal investigator of NL-Lab at the KNAW Humanities Cluster) and receives funding from CLICKNL, the knowledge and innovation network for the creative industries. The project develops innovative methods that bring together science, creative design, and participation.

Why Friesland?  

Friesland is an interesting current case study, because in 2025 ‘the smells and sounds of the Frisian countryside’ will be included in the heritage agenda of the Province of Fryslân. This initiative, raises fundamental questions: what do we actually mean by ‘the smells of Friesland’? Are they the smells of cowsheds and the mudflats? Or of sugar bread, dúmkes, herbal bitters, evening primroses, it stjonkfabryk, or wood carving? Jarre, broeirook, skiepperook or boskrook? How can these historical scent landscapes and ever-fading scents be captured? 

How do you investigate heritage smells? 

What constitutes fragrance heritage cannot be determined from above. In Een Neus voor Erfgoed (A Nose for Heritage), researchers are therefore working with various Frisian communities to identify characteristic Frisian smells – from rural scents, factory fumes, and water cultures to regional dishes and crafts. Everyone is invited to participate. The research even explores non-human perspectives: what is scent heritage as experienced by cows, sheep, or other animals? 

To investigate this, the project will distribute a questionnaire, delve into archives, undertake scent trails, and organize scent sessions and nose conversations. The project will also have historical scents ‘reconstructed’. A new challenge for perfumers: how do you actually design the scent of muddy ditches, the Wadden Sea, sheep pens, a coffee factory, centuries-old churches, sailing on the lakes, skating on natural ice or...?  

Designs for talking about scent 

Because scent experiences are often difficult to put into words, the project, in collaboration with creative designer Lotte Meeuwissen, is developing an interactive ‘scent table’ that invites people to smell and share scent experiences. This scent table will tour the province to gather knowledge from different communities. 

Bringing heritage scents to life 

After the research phase, the table will also be used in museums to allow visitors to sniff the scent heritage of Friesland.  

Added value for heritage and the creative industry  

The project provides new knowledge for heritage professionals, policymakers, and creative companies. The results help to use scent more consciously for education, experience, and communication within the cultural and creative sector.  

Program launch 

The launch will take place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Museum Joure, the birthplace of Douwe Egberts.  

2:00-2:30 p.m.: Doors open with coffee 
2:30-3:15 p.m.: Introduction by Jantine van der West (Fryske Akademy), followed by presentations on A Nose for Heritage and the scent heritage of Friesland by Inger Leemans (project leader), Eveline de Smalen (postdoc project), Lotte Meeuwissen (sensory designer), and Museum Joure. 
3:15-4:15 p.m.: Scent market, with coffee tasting and smell walks around the museum grounds
4:15-4:30 p.m.: Closing

Practical information

Date and time: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Location: Museum Joure, Museumstraat 2, 8501 CD Joure (info about accessibility/parking)
Registration: Admission is free, but we do ask you to register via Eventbrite (no later than March 17, 2026). Ticket includes museum admission.

Partners 

A Nose for Heritage is a collaboration between:  

• KNAW Humanities Cluster (Meertens Institute & NL-Lab)
• Fryske Akademy
• IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances)
• Lotte Meeuwissen

Funding body: CLICKNL www.clicknl.nl