Canada Poland War II Museum

About the museum

The Canada Poland War II Museum in Adegem is a private museum run by the Van Landschoot family. Gilbert Van Landschoot founded it to fulfil a last wish of his father Maurits. During the war Maurits had hidden people, and in 1944 he was rescued from the Gestapo by Canadian soldiers. The museum was established in 1994 and opened in 1995, in memory of the Canadian and Polish liberators who fought along the Leopold Canal near Adegem from 6 October 1944.

The collection relates to Operation Switchback, the Battle of the Scheldt and the Breskens Pocket. It consists of hundreds of complete uniforms and items of equipment, largely donated by veterans and civilians. Lifelike dioramas with mannequins in authentic uniforms depict battle scenes, including along the Leopold Canal and at the Adegem airfield.

The museum consists of two parts. The Canada Museum displays more than 250 uniforms and contains a film about the Battle of the Scheldt. The Poland Museum highlights the 1st Polish Armoured Division of General Maczek, with over 70 uniforms and a film about the Katyn massacre. Uniforms of soldiers buried in the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Adegem are shown with their name, photo and personal story. The Maple Leaf gallery contains miniature battlefields on a scale of 1:35.

Highlights

• More than 300 complete uniforms of Canadian and Polish soldiers
• Lifelike dioramas, including of the Leopold Canal in 1944
• Canada Museum with a film about the Battle of the Scheldt
• Poland Museum about the 1st Polish Armoured Division of General Maczek
• Maple Leaf gallery with miniature battlefields on a scale of 1:35
• Personal stories of soldiers buried in Adegem

Permanent exhibitions

• Canadamuseum – More than 250 uniforms, radio sets and equipment of Canadian soldiers, with a film about the Battle of the Scheldt and many dioramas of the liberation.
• Polandmuseum – More than 70 uniforms of the 1st Polish Armoured Division of General Maczek, with a film about Katyn and dioramas of Polish soldiers in the region.
• Maple Leaf-galerij – Miniature dioramas of battlefields on a scale of 1:35.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Familie Van Landschoot (privémuseum)

Admission & discounts

Payment is possible in cash or with Payconiq. Individual visitors do not need to book.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The Canada Museum is fully wheelchair-accessible and on the ground floor. The Poland Museum is not wheelchair-accessible, as it is reached by stairs. There is an adapted toilet, and the terrace is accessible by wheelchair.

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For children there are treasure hunts through the Polish and Canadian sections in Dutch, French, English and Polish; anyone who solves a treasure hunt receives a gift. Children under 6 are free.

Getting there & parking

You will find the museum at cycle node 24, with bicycle parking and a charging point for electric bikes.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Tea room “De Canadees” serves small snacks and drinks from 12:00 to 18:00. Free toilet use, including an adapted toilet.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit