Heemmuseum ’t Smiske
Local history museum of the ’t Hoefijser local history society in Rijmenam, open every Sunday in summer with a theme exhibition, tavern and sweet shop.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Heemkundige Kring ’t Hoefijser was founded on 11 February 1965 by Philomène De Winter, a retired primary school teacher, and Guy Wauters, a horticultural adviser. The society takes its name from the old inn In het Hoefyser on the Frankish village square of Rijmenam, where the aldermen met. The inn has disappeared, but the gable stone with its name and year has been preserved.
The local history museum Het Smiske on the Hoogstraat is the society’s base. Since 1975 a theme exhibition on one aspect of Rijmenam’s history has been held every year, usually with a brochure for sale in the museum shop. In 2025, with an exhibition on the Golden Sixties, the society marked its sixtieth anniversary, showing kitchen utensils, toys, wedding and communion clothing and festive menus from that time.
In the inner courtyard is a small farmhouse with a shop where you can buy sweets from the past, and every other week bread is sold that has been baked on site in the bread oven. Every year on 11 November the society organises the lantern procession and the Sint-Mettenvuur bonfire at Het Smiske, known as Mettevie.
Highlights
- Annual theme exhibition on the history of Rijmenam
- Farmhouse and shop with sweets from the past
- Bread from the bread oven, available every two weeks
- Tavern with herb pancakes and regional beer
- Mettevie, the lantern procession with Sint-Mettenvuur on 11 November
- Operated by
- Heemkundige kring ’t Hoefijser vzw
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The shop with sweets from the past is a must for children. At Mettevie on 11 November, children walk through the village with lanterns and hollowed-out beetroots; children under 12 receive a free drink voucher.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking is limited. The local history society points to parking at Het Smiske itself or at the former Meuro factory.
The museum is on the Hoogstraat in Rijmenam; it is best to come by bike.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Tavern with a snack and a drink, known for its herb pancakes (kruidenpannenkoeken). The shop sells sweets from the past, bread from the bread oven (every two weeks) and publications of the local history society.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Every summer a theme exhibition on a local history or historical subject is on in the museum. |
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