Expansion of the museum
Before the new expanded museum was realised the plans for the caissons and surrounding area have been finalised and a brochure detailing them was presented to the government departments involved in the disaster area. The affected areas in Belgium and England are also involved in these plans.
The emphasis of the current museum has been commemoration, remembrance and knowledge. The expanded National Monument Watersnood 1953 does also focus on providing more education and information.
Efforts are made to show the importance of studying past events when considering the future, as these demonstrate the vital necessity of staying alert in the struggle against the sea. 'Living with water' is an important theme in the latest extension to the museum.
Since the plans have come to fruition, the museum is open all year round, and more volunteers are available to provide information on educational and documentation matters at all.
Caissons
Caisson 01 - The facts
The current exhibition set-up is maintained, but in the back of the caisson a group reception area is created and offices provided. The entrance to the museum as such is still located here. This is where the story of the events during and immediately after the flood is shown.
Caisson 02 - The emotions
Here the project "1835+1" by Koert Davidse and Roel Wouters is being shown. Davidse, the maker of the film "De Ramp" (The Disaster) honours the victims by giving them a voice and a face with the aid of a computer. An otherwise empty caisson serves as a fitting locale for the presentation of 1835+1. Recesses next to the path, which is entirely below floor level, show images expressing the emotionsof the first days and hours.
Caisson 03 - Reclamation and restoration
This caisson is holding a house donated by Denmark. Its rooms has facilities for looking at personal selections from the wide range of films and documentaries available from the museum's collection. Next, the theme of land reclamation is dealt with using the material presently on show in the back of the first caisson, which are added to in the recesses along the corridor. This set-up also includes a second block of toilets and an area for a coffee or tea break before continuing on to:
Caisson 04 - Living with water and nature
In consultation with the Department of Public Works, the district water board Zeeuwse Eilanden, the Forestry Commission, the Oosterschelde National Park, DELTA utilities, the province Zeeland and the municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland, several displays are developed which deal with the problem of living with water in low-lying areas, in the present as well as the future. Pictures, images, test arrangements and experiments help to demonstrate how this can be achieved.
On the way out there is the museum shop with an infocorner for the surrounding area, providing walking and cycle routes, etc.
Surrounding area
The surrounding area is part of the National Monument. After all, the creeks, the remaining section of the old sea dike, the insets, the new sea dike and the countryside around the creeks all are a directresult of the disaster.
On the low dike in front of the fourth caisson there is a watchtower which provides a view across the insets to the Oosterschelde. In the sand dike between the insets smaller caissons can be seen. These will be exposed and cleaned by the Forestry Commission.
Visitors can pay their respects at the monument for the victims erected by Schouwen-Duiveland's municipal council and then walk back to the entrance of the museum and the car park. There are also various walking routes that can be followed.
Walking routes
Several walking routes are signposted in the area. One of two kilometres in length runs along the creeks and the Oosterschelde before returning to the museum entrance. Other paths of five to eight kilometres in length take the visitor through the scenic area created by the Forestry Commission around the washed out creeks after the flood, passing the village of Ouwerkerk, its cemetery anddonated houses, and the remnants of the old sea dike before arriving at the museum.
A detailed description is available at the museum.