Steam-driven dairy factory

A working steam engine! The factory is steam-powered and demonstrates the process used to make butter and cheese in around 1908. A number of different types of cheese are available for purchase inside.   

The ‘Freia’ steam-powered dairy factory was founded in 1879 as Friesland's first privately-owned cheese and butter factory. This resulted in considerable changes, especially for farmers' wives in Friesland, who saw their main task and principal source of income, making cheese and butter on their farms, gradually disappear. 
The factory building continued to expand up to 1919, after which it remained largely unchanged. To limit the power of the private owners, farmers started to set up cooperative dairy factories. When Freia was closed in 1969, it was the last remaining privately owned factory. Back to overview of buildings