Museon was founded in 1904 as an educational museum for science and culture. In 1984, Omniversum opened its doors as the first big-screen format film theatre in the Netherlands. In 2022, these two iconic institutions came together, forming Museon-Omniversum.
1904: Museon was founded on the initiative of The Hague newspaper publisher Frits van Paasschen, a strong advocate of hands-on education. He wanted to show children how different products were made. As he wrote, “Perhaps the result will be that they will devote themselves to a craft, and in this way the flow of unsuitable applicants for… office jobs may finally be reduced.” After several relocations, the museum settled in 1929 on Hemsterhuisstraat.
1934: The Sijthoff Planetarium was established, later becoming the predecessor of Omniversum. The planetarium was built on the top floor of the Haagsche Courant building as a gift to the people of The Hague. It was opened in the presence of Prince Hendrik and other dignitaries.
1976: The planetarium was destroyed by fire shortly after being renovated. This event led to plans for a new theater featuring laser projection.
1984: Omniversum opened its doors as the first IMAX Dome theatre in Europe. The impressive theatre, with a screen that fully surrounds the audience, offered a truly immersive film experience.
The opening film, To Fly, a spectacular documentary about aviation, immediately set the tone for the pioneering and educational approach of Omniversum.
In 1985, the Museon moved into a new, modern building on Stadhouderslaan in The Hague, designed by architect Wim Quist. At the same time, it adopted its current name, a combination of "museum" and "onderwijs (education)" highlighting its educational mission.
In 1997, the Museon became an independent institution under the Museon Foundation (Museum for Education), marking a new phase as a self-governing cultural organization.
In 2011, following a review of municipal funding, the Museon set a renewed course, focusing on geography and global themes such as food, water, energy, and cultural identity.
In 2016, this vision was further strengthened with the opening of the permanent exhibition One Planet, inspired by the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this exhibition, the Museon clearly communicates its commitment to a sustainable future.
In 2021, Omniversum underwent a technical transformation, switching to digital projection with five advanced 4K laser projectors.
This upgrade made it possible not only to continue showing impressive IMAX Dome films, but also to project standard cinema films onto the dome. It expanded the range of offerings and created an even more versatile experience for visitors.
In 2022, Museon and Omniversum joined forces and continued as Museon-Omniversum. This merger brought together the strengths of both institutions: Museon’s educational collections and exhibitions, and Omniversum’s impressive films.
With the permanent exhibition One Planet and a focus on the Earth, humanity, and a sustainable future, Museon-Omniversum offers a unique place where learning, experiencing, and inspiration come together.
