Ter Aar offers several ways to discover local history: at specific addresses, churches and houses from different periods stand alongside a war memorial commemorating 19 local residents. The Cultuur Historisch Museum Ter Aar focuses on the past of the town and its surroundings. If you prefer a landscape perspective, you’ll also find Ter Aar on the “De Smaak van de Veenweiden” cycling route. Cultural history, remembrance and landscape each offer a different focus.

Churches and houses at specific addresses

The Dutch Reformed Church at Aardamseweg 3 is a Rijksmonument (national monument). Also on Aardamseweg, at numbers 43, 45 and 47, stand three peat workers’ houses from the second half of the 19th century. The houses complement the ecclesiastical connection with a reference to the work of peat workers. A Reformed church dating from 1912 stands at Oostkanaalkade 2. The two churches have different historical points of reference: the church on Aardamseweg is distinguished by its monument status, while the one on Oostkanaalkade is dated by its year of construction. This makes it possible to distinguish between a designated monument, a church dated to a specific period, and three houses with a clearly identified historical connection.

Langeraar and the history of the place name

Present-day Ter Aar was formerly called Langeraar. In 1788, Langeraar was destroyed after a dike breach at Braassemermeer and rebuilt elsewhere near the Langeraarse Plassen, which were named after the village. The town’s history therefore includes two distinct events: its destruction after the dike breach and its subsequent reconstruction in a different location. The Langeraarse Plassen bear the village’s name. Those exploring Ter Aar’s history will also encounter the older name Langeraar and the specific event of 1788.

Remembrance at the war memorial

The war memorial in Ter Aar commemorates 19 local residents who died as a result of war during the Second World War or the colonial war in Indonesia, in the former Dutch East Indies. It consists of a red natural stone plaque with a female figure. The figure holds a sword in her right hand and a dove on her left hand. The dedication identifies those commemorated and the historical contexts; the material and figure describe the design of the memorial.

Museum and group activities

The Cultuur Historisch Museum Ter Aar has a permanent exhibition about the past of Ter Aar and its surroundings. By prior arrangement, it offers guided tours for groups of ten or more, including associations, schools and families. If you are planning such a tour, please note that it must be arranged in advance and that the minimum group size is ten. Boat trips for groups are also available aboard the restored Kagenaar De ‘Vrijwilliger’ at the museum. You can contact the museum to arrange an outing. This provides two distinct options: an exhibition on local history and a separate boat trip for groups.

Ter Aar on the cycling route

The “De Smaak van de Veenweiden” cycling route offers a different perspective. It passes lakes, expansive pastures and villages, and includes Ter Aar. Unlike the individual historical points of interest, this route focuses on the landscape. This distinction can help you choose your focus: the historical themes concern buildings, remembrance and local history, while the route passes lakes, pastures and villages.

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