After its foundation in 1985/1986, Spaarnestad Photo has been working as an independent institution to preserve the photographic archives of the former Haarlem-based ‘De Spaarnestad’ publishing company. From its beginning, its task has been the preservation and disclosure of the abundance of the photographic contents of the archives - a century of Dutch and international documentary photography laid down in ca. 5 million photos - by turning the former company archives into a public archive, by making the photos available for (photo)historic research and educational purposes, by organizing exhibitions and by stimulating publications.
Rescuing Dutch collections of documentary photography is also a focal point.

One of the collection’s most stimulating aspects is the link between past and present. By means of photo assignments and guest-curatorships, SPH brings modern photographers and their work into contact with the public and with the photography from the past.

Director of Spaarnestad Photo is Peter van den Doel.

Exhibition rooms open Tues-Saturday 12.00–17.00 hrs, Sunday 13.00–17.00 hrs.