Remember Museum '39-'45
Private Second World War museum in a former barn in Thimister-Clermont: souvenirs of American soldiers, guided tours by reservation.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Remember Museum 39-45 opened its doors on 12 June 1994. It was created by Marcel and Mathilde Schmetz in Marcel's former coachworks in Clermont. As a child, Marcel had seen his parents' farm turned into a bivouac for one hundred and ten soldiers of the 1st US Infantry Division during the liberation of the Herve plateau in September 1944. The soldiers left in haste for the Battle of the Bulge, leaving behind their personal belongings, which Marcel kept out of respect.
Today housed in a renovated barn, the museum presents these objects along with many donations from American veterans and their families: uniforms, personal effects, “then and now” photographs, dioramas with more than a hundred mannequins, a Sherman M4A4 tank and an engineers' barge. Each piece is linked to a story and to faces that can be discovered.
The museum is meant as a token of gratitude to the American soldiers who liberated the region. It lies about 3 km from the Henri-Chapelle American military cemetery, where 7,992 soldiers rest. Visits are guided, in five languages, and by reservation only.
Highlights
- Personal belongings left in 1944 by soldiers of the 1st US Infantry Division
- Dioramas with more than a hundred mannequins in uniform
- Sherman M4A4 tank and engineers' barge
- “Then and now” photographs of veterans
- Guided tours in French, Dutch, German, English and Walloon
Permanent exhibition
- Collection permanente – Uniforms, personal effects, dioramas and vehicles relating to the liberation of the region in September 1944 and to the Second World War.
- Founded
- 1994
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
The museum is at Béolles 4, Clermont (municipality of Thimister-Clermont).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum can only be visited with a guide and always by reservation (+32 87 44 61 81). Since 2021, QR codes also allow personalised or interactive visits, which are useful in particular for young people and people with reduced mobility. |
