Brouws Museum
Maritime local history museum in the harbour of Brouwershaven with ship models, nautical charts, gold coins and an exhibition on the poet Jacob Cats.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Brouwershaven on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland looks back on a rich maritime past: as a transshipment port for goods as well as a home port for fishermen. Between 1838 and 1870 the small town even took over the role of seaport for Rotterdam, which was temporarily unreachable because of silted-up sea channels. The statesman and poet Jacob Cats was also born here in 1577, and the museum commemorates him.
The Brouws Museum shows all facets of the town's relationship with seafaring. Two historic buildings at the former trading and fishing harbour, now a marina, offer around 200 square metres of exhibition space spread over three halls. The collection includes authentic ship models, models of ship's guns, maritime paintings, topographic maps and nautical charts, prints, nautical instruments for determining position, maritime home industry, and part of the gold coins from the 15th to 17th centuries found in Brouwershaven in 2000.
The house also has a film room, a library, a museum shop and a garden that is being developed on around 800 square metres with maritime elements. An audiovisual presentation tells of the life and work of Jacob Cats. In 2010 the museum received the Monument Prize of Schouwen-Duiveland. It is run exclusively by volunteers.
Highlights
- Ship models, maritime paintings, nautical charts and nautical instruments
- Gold coins of the 15th–17th centuries from a find in Brouwershaven (2000)
- Information and audiovisual on Jacob Cats, the poet born in Brouwershaven
- Two historic buildings at the harbour with a film room and museum garden
- Free audio tour of the highlights of the collection
Permanent exhibition
- Maritime Sammlung und Jacob Cats – Ship models, maritime paintings, maps, nautical instruments and gold coins, plus information and an audiovisual on the poet Jacob Cats, born in Brouwershaven.
- Operated by
- Stichting Brouws Museum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 4 · Children under five years free. |
| Groups | €4.50 per personGroups pay €4.50 per person and register in advance. |
The audio tour is free of charge.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
For children in groups 7 and 8 (Dutch primary school) there is a rally through the museum with multiple-choice questions; children under five years have free admission.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Buses to Brouwershaven run across the whole island; two bus stops are located near the museum
By car
Free parking
Parking in Brouwershaven is free, and there are always enough spaces.
The museum is located on the south bank of the former trading harbour (Haven Zuidzijde).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop "Het Brouwsel" with souvenirs of Brouwershaven and the museum, antique prints, postcards, reproductions, DVDs and pewter miniatures.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 15 guests.
Meeting room on the first floor for up to 15 people with a kitchen for coffee and tea and a toilet; can be combined with a museum visit.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free audio tour of the highlights of the collection, available at reception. Groups can have a programme put together, for example with a talk on the history of Brouwershaven, documentary films, an audiovisual on Jacob Cats or a personal guided tour; the film room seats up to 20 people. |
