Museum of the Mind Dolhuys, Mental health museum in Haarlem, Netherlands.
Museum of the Mind Dolhuys is a museum in Haarlem focused on mental health and its history. You find interactive exhibits, personal accounts, and historical medical objects spread across two locations in Haarlem and Amsterdam.
The building began as a leprosarium in medieval times and later served as a plague house and psychiatric hospital during various periods. These different uses show how society cared for people with serious illnesses.
The museum displays artworks and personal stories that reveal how society's understanding of mental health has shifted over time. You see how different people experienced illness and recovery through their own eyes and creations.
Audio guides in multiple languages are available to help you explore both locations. Take your time moving through the exhibits to fully understand the personal stories and objects on display.
The museum preserves an isolation chamber from the 16th century that shows how people were treated for mental illness in the past. This room is a rare example of how people were separated from society in those days.
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