Museum Bussemakerhuis

About the museum

The Bussemakerhuis was built in 1655 as a residential and trading house and acquired its present form in 1779, when the linen merchant and Mennonite Jan Bussemaker had it rebuilt with his wife Trijntje Hulshoff. The striking gable with Klauwstukken bearing figures of a dolphin, a crescent moon and a pomegranate dates from his time. From here the “fabrikeur” Bussemaker supplied Twente home weavers with yarn, bought up their linen and sold it on in Holland. As an intermediary between peasant weavers and the market, he was a key figure in the beginnings of the Twente textile industry, which had its first centre in Borne around 1675.

After the last Bussemakers left the house in 1882, it was rented out for a long time. In 1959 the Stichting Bussemakerhuis was founded to save the building from demolition. The house has been open to visitors since 1993 and has been a registered museum since 2002. It is considered the only surviving linen trading house in the Netherlands that is accessible to visitors and still largely in its original condition; even the hoist used to pull the linen up to the attic can still be seen.

The permanent exhibition revolves around the themes of linen, fabrikeurs, Mennonites and the textile manufacturer Salomon Jacob Spanjaard. In addition there are two temporary exhibitions per year with topical references. The house also offers guided tours, walks through Oud Borne, weaving workshops and programmes for primary schools in Borne.

Highlights

• The only surviving and accessible linen trading house in the Netherlands
• Gabled facade with Klauwstukken (dolphin, moon, pomegranate)
• Original linen hoist under the roof
• Permanent exhibition on linen, fabrikeurs, Mennonites and Spanjaard
• Garden with orchard and garden room; walks through Oud Borne

Permanent exhibition

• Leinen, Fabrikeurs, Mennoniten und Spanjaard – The permanent exhibition tells how, from 1675, the linen trade in Borne became the starting point of the Twente textile industry and how a fabrikeur and the Mennonites lived.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Stichting Bussemakerhuis

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart, and for Friends of the Museum and members of the Heemkundevereniging Borne.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Because of the listed-building status, thresholds and small steps have been preserved; not all rooms are accessible for wheelchairs or walkers. After prior registration (by phone), the house can be entered via the rear.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Ennekerdijk 11, in the old centre of Borne.

Amenities & dining

At events and group visits, drinks and hapjes (snacks) are served in the garden room and in the garden; bicycle charging point free of charge for visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 15 guests.

The bright garden room holds about 15 people (projector, screen, flip chart, catering on request); the garden and orchard are suitable for larger small gatherings, but not for events with amplified music. Weddings in the garden room are possible.

Plan your visit