Museum Erfgoed Zele

Local heritage museum in Zele with the history of Zele, Zele needle lace and the sculptures of Aloïs De Beule.

Opening hours

About the museum

Museum Erfgoed Zele was founded in 1996 by the local history society Erfgoed Zele and is housed in the Henri Van Daelecentrum on Lokerenbaan. The society's volunteers build up the museum and the documentation centre and publish a yearbook.

The Zeels Erfgoed section shows selected items from local history, around two main themes: Zele through history, with turning points and life in wartime, and the industrious and leisure-loving Zele resident, with flax and jute, distillery, breweries and clog-making, among other things.

Needle lace is a Zele speciality. The lace section, in a spacious room on the first floor since 2008, shows christening gowns, bridal wear, fans, decorative lace squares and design drawings. Another section is dedicated to sculptor Aloïs De Beule, born in Zele in 1861. In the Podium room, associations, artists and collectors can display temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

Lace section with Zele needle lace, christening gowns and design drawings
Collection of sculptor Aloïs De Beule, born in Zele in 1861
Zele through history and the industrious Zele resident: flax, jute, distillery, breweries, clog-making
Podium room for temporary exhibitions by associations and collectors

Permanent exhibitions

Zeels Erfgoed – Selected items from the local history of Zele, on Zele through history and the industrious Zele resident, with everyday objects, documents and photographs.
Kant – Zele needle lace and other types of lace, with clothing, decorative lace squares and design drawings, and the social and educational context of the lace industry.
De collectie Aloïs De Beule – Rooms devoted to Zele sculptor Aloïs De Beule (born 1861), with drawings and sketches in clay.

Founded: 1996
Operated by: Heemkring Erfgoed Zele

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Family tours & workshops
Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For schools (first to third stage) there is a discovery trail through Zele's past with worksheets, a photo hunt and dress-up sessions; the second and third stage can make a key ring with needle and thread. Worksheets can be downloaded from the website.