In the entire history of De Waag, there have been various uses for this location that have changed with the times. At one time it served as a fire-station and a museum which were each referred to as the Amsterdam Historical Museum and the Jewish Historical museum. In the years 1989 to 1994 the building was empty and simply waited for a new prospect to fill its space. In 1992 their was a new renovation which started and the building became a restaurant downstairs and served as the Society for old and new Media in the upstairs section. Long before all of this, however, in the 17th century, Rembrandt van Rijn took anatomical lessons were held there in what was then called the guild of the surgeons. The famous painting of the anatomical lesson by professor Tulp was the result. This is a location that has a rich history which also included the rebuilding of the Sint Antoniespoort which took place in 1617-1618. At that time, in the upper floors of the building a few guilds were housed and every guild had its own entrance. Above the little gates one can still see the emblems of the guilds as they were first placed there so many years ago. De Waag is certainly a historical place to see in Amsterdam.