Bosmuseum Gerhagen

About the museum

The Bosmuseum goes back to the Werkgroep Ecologie Tessenderlo, which almost from its founding collected interesting objects about nature. In this way a collection of stuffed birds came into being, which was used a few times for temporary exhibitions. In 1979 the association bought the old cafeteria of the VVV (the local tourist office), and in 1980 the first Bosmuseum opened there, giving the collection a permanent home.

That wooden building became too small and fell into poor condition, so a new museum was built in phases. The province of Limburg wanted a network of visitor centres, each with its own theme, and birds were an obvious choice here. With support from the province and the Provinciaal Natuurcentrum (Provincial Nature Centre), the exhibition “van ei tot ei” (“from egg to egg”) was realised.

In 2004 the museum gained an extra exhibition space. When the Gerhagen area became part of the De Merode landscape park, the museum was expanded with an information and reception centre, more storage space and a modernised classroom. The renewed Bosmuseum opened on 31 May 2015.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “van ei tot ei” on the life of birds
• Collection of stuffed birds
• Free silence backpacks and whisper bags for a walk in silence
• Information on walking, horse-riding and cycling routes in the Gerhagen nature park
• Library with nature guides and reference works
• 18.7-metre lookout tower next to the museum

Permanent exhibition

• Van ei tot ei – Permanent exhibition on the life of birds, with a collection of stuffed birds, realised with support from the province of Limburg and the Provinciaal Natuurcentrum.

Founded

1980

Operated by

vzw Werkgroep Ecologie Tessenderlo

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

A visit during opening hours is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Walking loop 1 in the Gerhagen nature park (2.7 km) is a wheelchair-accessible path.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

There are downloadable worksheets for nursery and all primary school grades, and a Bosmuseum bingo for children. Next to the museum are a sand hill with a lookout tower and a renewed playground; picnicking is also possible.

Getting there & parking

The museum lies at the foot of the sand hill with the lookout tower; several cycling routes and walking junctions pass the museum.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 25 guests.

Equipped classroom or meeting room for up to 25 people, with interactive whiteboard: groups €50, schools €30.

Plan your visit