Groentemuseum 't Grom

About the museum

On and around the Midzeelhoeves in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, food crops have been grown since 1712, and probably much longer. First, tenant farmers did this on behalf of the Cistercian nuns' abbey of Roosendael; later residents who lived from livestock, grain and vegetables. On the heavy clay soil the typical bed culture arose, with raised earth ridges on which the earliest vegetables grew, followed by greenhouses and adapted tools.

In 2006 the non-profit association (vzw) Midzeelhoeve opened the museum 't Grom there, the vegetable museum. From the start it was meant to be a hands-on museum, with a great deal of attention to horticultural history and healthy eating: in the gardens, greenhouses and kitchens, visitors, especially children, can taste, smell and try things out. Since then 't Grom has grown into a heritage centre that preserves immovable, movable, intangible and living heritage and lets the heritage bearers themselves speak.

On the grounds there are 1,200 metres of paths along four historic gardens that tell the history of plant and vegetable cultivation, a botanical garden with mainly cabbage species and their local varieties, and historic greenhouses that are recognised as monuments. Those greenhouses show the development of greenhouse cultivation, from the unheated single-span greenhouse to the high double-span greenhouse. A team of volunteers helps run the museum.

Highlights

• Four historic gardens with 1,200 metres of walking paths
• Botanical garden with cabbage species and local vegetable varieties
• Protected historic greenhouses, from single-span to double-span
• Free audio guide, treasure hunt and hands-on tasks for children
• Guided tours, cooking workshops, escape game and visit to beekeeper Louis (April to September)

Permanent exhibitions

• Groentemuseum 't Grom – The hands-on museum in the Midzeelhoeves tells the story of kitchen history, preserving vegetables, the tin can and forgotten vegetables, with attention to the senses and healthy eating.
• Tuinen en serres – Four historic gardens, a botanical garden for cabbages and protected historic greenhouses tell the story of plant and vegetable cultivation.

Founded

2006

Operated by

vzw Midzeelhoeve

Admission & discounts

A day ticket costs from €4 and is booked online for a fixed time slot; you are also welcome at the desk. Free admission is available for children under 6, holders of a Museumpas, ICOM members, holders of the EU Disability Card and holders of a teacher card; free tickets cannot be reserved online and must be collected at the desk.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 museum is accessible to wheelchair users; there are several resting points and an adapted toilet. Dogs are welcome if they stay on the lead.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum is a hands-on museum where children may taste, smell and try things out. Children receive a free treasure hunt with hands-on tasks, and there is an adapted audio guide. There are children's activities, workshops and three-hour birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

The museum lies on the F1 Antwerp–Brussels cycle highway, at node 228 of the Rivierenland walking network, and about ten minutes from the Mechelen-Noord exit of the E19.

Amenities & dining

You can picnic outside at the picnic benches or in the museum gardens.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 40 guests.

Available to rent are the auction room (meetings for 16 to 20 people, classroom style up to 40, with projector and flipchart), the cooking island (cooking workshop or group dinner, ideal for 15 and up to 40 people) and the bleaching meadow for ceremonies or private parties (not for large parties or late hours).

Plan your visit