Streekmuseum De Zilverreiger
Basketry museum of Klein-Brabant in a former municipal school in Weert, with basket-makers' history, workshops, bicycle hire and a museum café.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum originated in the 1960s out of concern for the disappearing craft heritage of Klein-Brabant: basket makers, clog makers, flax workers, coopers and Scheldt fishermen. In 1969 the regional museum De Zilverreiger opened in the former municipal boys' school of Weert, which would otherwise have had to close. The building, in Bruges neo-Gothic style, was designed around 1900 by the architect Carreels.
Today the museum focuses mainly on weaving in general, with the Klein-Brabant basket maker as its starting point: his life and work, weaving techniques and materials, and the social and economic context. The core collection consists of objects from the working and living world of the basket maker; the period from 1850 to around the 1970s is regarded as the heyday of the weaving industry in the region.
An exhibition on exotic weaving materials from Asia, Africa and the Americas has been running since 2012. In the former classrooms, visitors take courses in which they weave a basket themselves, and there is a museum café. On the former playground you can rest and play folk games, and you can hire a bicycle there to explore the region.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition on the Klein-Brabant basket maker
- Exhibition on exotic weaving materials from Asia, Africa and the Americas
- Course in which you weave your own basket
- Folk games and bicycle hire for a day out in the region
- Museum café with terrace in the old school
Permanent exhibitions
- Permanente tentoonstelling over de Klein-Brabantse mandenmaker – The exhibition tells the story of the basket maker and the world in which he lived, and takes you through weaving techniques of the past and present.
- Exotisch Gevlochten – A theme exhibition on weaving materials from Asia, Africa and the Americas, from bamboo and rattan to raffia and sisal, with explanations of the production process.
- Founded
- 1969
- Operated by
- Streekmuseum De Zilverreiger vzw
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5.60 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €2.80Rate for children and schools. |
| Groups | €5.60 per personPer person; a guide for up to 25 people costs €65. |
| Families | –Individual visitors and families can book for up to 9 people (adults and children together). |
| Guide for a group (maximum 25 people) | €65 |
| Guide for a school group (maximum 25 children) | €40School groups pay €2.80 per child. |
| Basket-weaving course (adult) | €10Children €7.50. |
| Combination of museum and folk sports (adult) | €15.60Schools pay €12.50. |
Rates 2026. Bicycles can be hired on site: city bike €15 per day (€12 per half day) plus a €20 deposit; tandem €25 per day plus a €25 deposit; e-bike €30 plus a €100 deposit; deposit in cash. Folk games can be hired from €5.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The museum says it puts strong emphasis on children: groups of 10 or more receive a tailor-made day programme. Children weave a basket under supervision and can try out folk games.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
No line buses run from Bornem station to Weert; you can book the Klein-Brabant on-demand bus (belbus). On foot it is about an hour from Bornem station via the Oude Schelde, and a little under an hour from Temse station.
By car
Parking available
It is best to park in the car park directly opposite the church in Weert; arrows point the way to the museum.
By car, take the E17 exit Temse or the A12 exit Sint-Niklaas, and continue along the N16. Cyclists from Antwerp and Ghent can follow the Scheldt dykes to Weert; the museum hires out bicycles on site.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Museum-K-Fé with terrace and the drinks room De Slijkneus serve beverages, including the museum beer Slijkneus. You can also order a picnic basket for two people (€25). The museum shop has information about the museum and the region.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Booking is recommended for specific arrangements; a booking is only final once confirmed by the museum. Groups of up to 20 adults or 25 children are accompanied by a guide; larger groups are divided. For a drinks stop with groups of 10 or more, book in advance (free of charge). |
