Juliana of the Netherlands

Juliana was Queen of the Netherlands from 1948 until her abdication in 1980.

Preserving the Volendam lace cap

The Volendam white lace cap, called a hul, was part of daily dress in the early 20th century and was kept stiffened in a tin to maintain its shape.

Large garnet jewellery among peasants

Peasant women's jewellery often included very large garnets, with some families in Stompwyk possessing stones as large as a swallow's egg.

Musicians at Fairs and Rural Festivals

At fairs in the early 1900s, traveling musicians such as violinists, accordionists, and tamborine players were common, sometimes accompanied by street organs. Musicians playing for dances at rural festivities often sat on wooden chests and tapped their violin bows to signal when dancers needed to pay for the music.

Rise of Cafes and Jazz Culture

During the early 20th century, cafes hosted diverse live performances, including ladies' orchestras and piano players. By the 1920s, a jazz craze took hold, leading to the formation of Dutch jazz bands and the introduction of American dances like the Charleston and Shimmy.

Cheaper early morning tram fares

Between 1900 and 1924, a commute could be cheaper by taking a "early trip" tram before 7:30 AM, which cost 2.5 cents compared to the standard 7.5 cents.

Steamboat travel costs in 1914

Around 1914, a steamboat ticket between local towns like Genemuiden and Zwolle cost between 60 and 85 cents.

Living conditions in crowded one-room homes

Around 1900, many poor families lived in single-room dwellings where they cooked, slept, and relieved themselves, often using a bucket or wooden box that was collected weekly. Waste was sometimes stored in basements or attics to be sold as fertilizer.

The transition to electric lighting

Lighting was inconsistent, with candles, kerosene lamps, and gaslight all in use, and electric lighting considered a luxury for the wealthy or public spaces around 1900. By the 1920s, electric light and wired outlets for appliances began appearing in modern homes.

Coffee and tea replace traditional drinks

Coffee, tea, and sometimes cocoa with sugar replaced beer, water, and buttermilk as the most common everyday drinks. Previously, buttermilk mixed with well water had been a standard beverage.

Shifting diets from potatoes to varied meals

Ordinary families often ate simple one-pot meals consisting of potatoes mixed with vegetables, beans, or a small amount of fat and bacon. Over time, families began eating more varied foods, such as wheat bread, meat, and processed products like margarine and cookies.

Shoe factory wages and fines around 1910

Around 1910, a man working in a shoe factory in Waalwijk earned over 4.20 guilders per week, while girls earned 1.75 guilders. Fines ranging from 10 to 25 cents were imposed for issues like arriving late or talking too much.

Wages for cigar makers and textile workers

In the early 1900s, home-based cigar makers earned 8 to 9 guilders for a 60-hour work week. Meanwhile, men in the textile industry in 1908 earned an average daily wage of 1.51 guilders.

Memorable facts of everyday work

Household servants performed grueling tasks like emptying chamber pots daily and scrubbing floors, often for very little pay. Some home-based workers earned as little as 2 to 3 cents for tasks like sorting coffee beans.

Most common jobs in the Netherlands

Agriculture was the largest employer, though many laborers also worked in textile factories, the port of Rotterdam, or as household servants. Home-based industries were common, where people performed tasks like shelling shrimp or stripping tobacco for extremely low wages.