Vermuyden400

On 26 May 1626, a contract was signed between King James I and the Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden. This moment was very significant for the future of the Isle of Axholme and the Hatfield Chase.

This exhibition explores the Isle of Axholme before the drainage transformed the landscape. Discover more about the early migration of people to the area. You can find out more about Cornelius Vermuyden and the work he did and what changes were made to the Isle of Axholme.

The exhibition also highlights the people who lived on Isle of Axholme when the drainage project started and how they reacted to the changes made to their area. The story continues through later development in landscape management.

Follow the story of the landscape through a series of beautifully detailed historic maps. These include the 1450 Inclesmoor map, the 1639 Aerlebout map, the 1766 map by local antiquarian George Stovin and several others.