Red Star Line Museum

About the museum

The Red Star Line Museum tells the story of the millions of Europeans who emigrated from Antwerp to America on the ships of the Red Star Line. It opened on 28 September 2013 in the company's original buildings on the Eilandje, which have been protected since 2001. The City of Antwerp bought the sheds in 2005 and initially wanted to make them a memorial place.

The American firm Beyer Blinder Belle, which also designed the museum on Ellis Island, made the restoration plan. It took the condition of the sheds in 1921 as its starting point and added a tower in the form of a chimney, with views over the city and the harbour. The museum is a municipal museum of the City of Antwerp.

The display follows the journey of the emigrants step by step, from a travel agency in Warsaw to a new life in the United States, through testimonies such as Albert Einstein and Irving Berlin. In the final section, the bridge to migration today is built. The collection consists of personal documents, photos, letters and objects, supplemented by a maritime collection of more than 6,000 items on transatlantic passenger shipping.

Highlights

• Restored Red Star Line sheds on the Eilandje, protected since 2001
• Lookout tower with views over the city and the harbour
• Personal stories, letters and photos of emigrants
• Maritime collection with ship models, posters and picture postcards
• A current look at migration today

Permanent exhibition

• Vaste opstelling over de reis van de landverhuizers – The display follows the emigrants' journey step by step, from a travel agency in Warsaw to a new life in the United States.

Founded

2013

Operated by

Stad Antwerpen

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Tuesday of the month free for Antwerpians with an A-card

The rate depends on whether a temporary exhibition is on: without an exhibition €10 (reduced €6), with an exhibition €12 (reduced €8). Free admission for holders of a museumPASSmusées, an Antwerp City Pass, an ICOM card, a Klasse teacher card or a UiTPAS with VT status, and for A-card holders with the reduced rate. The shop and the tower are accessible without a ticket.

Accessibility

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

According to the website, the museum is fully accessible to people with limited mobility. An adapted toilet is in the basement. In several rooms there are benches, and folding chairs can be requested at the counter. Free ear protection and a sensory card are available at the counter. The tower can be reached by stairs or lift. Two reserved parking spaces are opposite the museum on Montevideostraat and one on Rijnkaai 12. A companion of a visually impaired visitor enters free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

On the mezzanine there is a play corner with educational toys, a craft table and a space to warm up food. On the first Sunday of the month (except in July, August and September) there is a Family Sunday from 13:00 to 16:00 with a creative workshop. For children aged 3 to 6 and 6 to 11 there are suitcases of activity booklets. There is also a buggy tour for toddlers and a family guided tour. Birthday parties can be celebrated with a tour of the museum. Pushchairs are allowed; changing mats are in the toilets.

Getting there & parking

The whole of Antwerp city centre and Linkeroever is a low-emission zone. Bicycles can be parked in front of the entrance and at the corner of Rijnkaai and Montevideostraat; a Velo station is on Rijnkaai next to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

The museum has a museum café and a museum shop in De Loods, the former baggage shed. Lockers and toilets are in the basement.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events

Up to 250 guests.

For hire are De Loods (320 m², up to 180 seated or 250 standing) and Het Upper Deck (88 m², up to 50 people). Private hire is not possible. Requests at least six weeks in advance; De Loods is not available during temporary exhibitions.

Plan your visit