The official name of the foundation that manages the museum is: Stichting tot Beheer van het Museum van het Boek / Museum Meermanno-Westreenianum. This name unites the museum's two core collections and forms the legal and substantive foundation of the institution.
The public name — the name by which the museum presents itself to the outside world — has undergone several variations throughout its 175-year history. The variations outlined below reflect the development of the institute within the national museum sector.
Chronological overview
1848 – Bequest
Baron van Westreenen dies and bequeaths his residence and collections to the State of the Netherlands. The stipulated condition is the establishment of a museum named Museum Meermanno-Westreenianum, a name that must also be displayed on the building's facade.
1852 – Rijksmuseum Meermanno-Westreenianum
The museum officially opens its doors to the public under the name Rijksmuseum Meermanno-Westreenianum.
1960 – Rijksmuseum Meermanno-Westreenianum | Museum van het Boek
The name is expanded to include 'Museum van het Boek' (Museum of the Book). In addition to the Meermanno-Westreenianum collection (c. 500–1850), from this year onwards the museum also manages the international Museum of the Book collection (1850–present), which includes bibliophile editions, private press books, and artists' books.
2001 – Museum Meermanno
The museum's common public name is shortened to Museum Meermanno.
2005 – Museum Meermanno | Huis van het Boek
The designation 'Huis van het Boek' (House of the Book) is added to the public name and the logo.
2010 – Huis van het Boek | Museum Meermanno
The order of the names in public communications is reversed.
2012 – Huis van het Boek
During this period, 'Huis van het Boek' is used as the primary public name, partly in the context of a partnership with the National Library of the Netherlands (Koninklijke Bibliotheek).
2026 – Rijksmuseum Meermanno
The museum uses Rijksmuseum Meermanno as its common name, in accordance with its role as custodian of a national heritage collection under the Heritage Act (Erfgoedwet).
