Stadsmuseum Lokeren
City museum on the history of Lokeren and Moerbeke, with attention to the hair-cutting industry, textiles, the confectionery industry and butchery.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Stadsmuseum van Lokeren tells the history and culture of the town. It is located on the Markt, in the building of the former Vocational and Industrial School. The National Butchers' Museum is also housed in the building.
The building was closed for a thorough renovation from the beginning of 2022 until the summer of 2024. Since the reopening in June 2024, the museum has shown a completely renewed permanent display, “Stad in beweging” (“City in Motion”). It takes the present-day city as its starting point and tells the most important stories of the present and past of Lokeren and Moerbeke.
The museum's main collections are hair cutting, textiles, the confectionery industry and butchery. Much attention goes to hair cutting: rabbit and hare skins were processed into felt hair for hat making all over the world, and in the twentieth century Lokeren was the world centre of this polluting industry. The history and dynamics of a town form the central theme of the display.
Highlights
- Permanent display “Stad in beweging” on the development of Lokeren and Moerbeke
- Extensive attention to the hair-cutting industry, of which Lokeren was the world centre
- Main collections on textiles, the confectionery industry and butchery
- Interactive modules for children: smelling scents, writing on a school blackboard, feeling fabrics and trying on a hat
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Stad in beweging – The completely renewed permanent display shows how Lokeren and Moerbeke developed over time, with hair cutting, textiles, the confectionery industry and butchery as the common thread.
- Operated by
- Stad Lokeren
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | €3.40 per personGuided group visit: €3.40 per person, with a minimum of €60 per guided session. |
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Admission to the museum is free. A guided group visit costs €3.40 per person (minimum €60 per guided tour) and must be booked at least three weeks in advance. Guided class visits are free for schools in Lokeren; for classes from outside Lokeren it costs €1.70 per pupil, with a minimum of €30 per guided tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Both the permanent display and the exhibition hall are accessible to wheelchair users.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The permanent display has interactive modules where children can sniff the scent of Lokeren delicacies, test their handwriting on a school blackboard, assemble an animal puzzle, feel fabrics and try on an old hat. In the participation space on the first floor, children and grandparents get to know an introductory version of the workshop “Bouw je stad” (“Build your city”) in a playful way. The museum also organises parent-and-child workshops.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Station Lokeren · 500 m
The museum is in the centre and can be reached by bus (stops Markt or Station) and by train; the station is about 500 metres' walk away.
By car
Parking available
Parking is available in the centre, on the Sint-Laurentiusplein (paid) or on the Grote Kaai (free).
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups and classes can come with a guide all year round, including outside the usual opening hours; booking is possible at least three weeks in advance via the online form, via Visit Lokeren or by email. Unguided class visits must be announced in advance by email. |
