Stadsmuseum Lier

About the museum

The Stadsmuseum Lier has been the municipal museum of Lier since 2018. It arose from two older museums. In 1892 the Museum Wuyts-Van Campen opened with the 107 paintings that Jacob Wuyts and Françoise Van Campen gave to the city. Later, Baron Georges Caroly, a distant cousin of Wuyts, expanded the collection with a third room and with paintings, furniture and silver. In 1968 the Timmermans-Opsomerhuis opened, which put the writer Felix Timmermans and the artist Isidore Opsomer in the spotlight.

In 2014 the city decided to chart a new course: the two old museums closed their doors and the collections found a place in a new city museum. The building on the Florent Van Cauwenberghstraat is a protected monument in neo-Gothic style. Since the end of September 2018 it has been open as Stadsmuseum Lier, together with a growing heritage collection.

The museum tells stories about Lier and its people, not chronologically but around themes that, according to residents, characterise their city. The themes are spread over three consecutive rooms, which you can visit separately. They cover ‘Schoon Lier’ and ‘Lierke Plezierke’, festivals, giants and music, trade and crafts, care and education, and people from Lier who put the city on the map. In Het Salon hang the masterpieces of fine art from the Wuyts-Van Campen and Caroly donations, and the Gulden Cabinet shows work by artists from Lier.

The museum is developed together with people from Lier, and their personal stories can be heard throughout the rooms. Play spots invite visitors to try something out or to give their opinion.

Highlights

• Thematic tour of Lier and its people across three rooms
• Het Salon with masterpieces of fine art from the Wuyts-Van Campen and Caroly donations
• The Gulden Cabinet with work by artists from Lier
• Replica of the Lier mammoth and the Lier giants
• Play spots for families, including the bouncing horse of the giant train and Lier lacemaking

Permanent exhibitions

• Permanente tentoonstelling: Lier en de Lierenaars – Themes such as ‘Schoon Lier’, ‘Lierke Plezierke’, ‘Lier maakt het’ and ‘Zorgende stad’ tell the story of the city and its residents across three rooms.
• Het Salon – Here hang the masterpieces of fine art from the Wuyts-Van Campen (1887) and Caroly (1935) donations.
• Doeplekken – Interactive spots where you can try things out, play or give your opinion, for example the bouncing horse of the giant train or Lier lacemaking.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Stad Lier

Admission & discounts

Free for residents of Lier, UiTPAS reduced-rate holders, companions of people with disabilities, the Lier guides' association Argus, press, ICOM members, holders of the Riebedebiepas, holders of the museumPASSmusées and school groups.

Accessibility

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

The reception and rooms are on the ground floor. A step between the entrance hall and the hall is bridged with a sloping platform, and from the second to the third room a platform lift runs. A wheelchair is available and assistance dogs are welcome. The museum car park can be used as a drop-off point. For people with dementia there are small-group tours; in advance you can download a floor plan, the museum texts and a visual visitor guide.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

In 2026 the museum was approved by and for children. Pushchairs can be taken into the rooms. Each family receives a floor plan with play spots (4+). For babies and toddlers from 6 months there is the wool course ‘schapenwolkje’ (booking required). At reception there is a low-stimulus basket with, among other things, headphones. In the toilets there are a child seat for the toilet, a changing pad and a step, and for breastfeeding a staff member will take you to a quiet place.

Getting there & parking

You can briefly stop at the museum to drop someone off.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum shop next to the reception desk with art books, postcards and Lier products. You can store rucksacks and coats in the lockers at reception. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the rooms.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit