Museum Collectie Brands

About the museum

The Museum Collectie Brands in Nieuw-Dordrecht (south-east Drenthe) goes back to the collection of Jans Johannes Brands, who was born in the village in 1932 and for more than 65 years collected everything that others threw away: household items, toys, tools, documents, religious works, coins and objects from the Second World War. His guiding principle was, roughly, that one should throw nothing away because one would never see it again later. Brands died in 2019.

In the 1980s the value of the collection came to be increasingly recognised. In 1991 a foundation was established to preserve the collection, and in 1993 it was named heir to the collection and the farm. When Brands briefly considered giving the collection to the USA, it attracted great attention; expert reports confirmed its exceptional cultural-historical value. The house, a farm rebuilt in 1947 after a RAF Lancaster bomber crashed in August 1943, is still the heart of the museum today; many rooms have been left as Brands left them. In 2026 the museum celebrates its 15th anniversary.

Around the farm there are further exhibition spaces, including the hall named after the painter Janny Jalving, where art, Drenthe and a cabinet of curiosities are the focus. Highlights include a medieval feudal register of the Bishop of Utrecht and a golden solidus of the Frankish king Dagobert I. The museum is one of the "Veenpoorten" (peat gateways) of the Moor-Veenland nature park.

Highlights

• Home of the collector Jans Brands, largely in its original state
• Medieval feudal register of the Bishop of Utrecht and golden solidus of Dagobert I
• Janny Jalving Hall with a cabinet of curiosities, drawers to open and works by Werkman and Dekkers
• Brasserie Eempien with terrace and museum shop (freely accessible)
• Audio guide via smartphone as a Veenpoort of the Moor-Veenland nature park

Permanent exhibitions

• De Wereld van Jans – The home of Jans Brands and his collection of everyday objects, largely left as the collector left them; on view all year round.
• Janny Jalvingzaal – Thematic presentation of the collection with works by Janny Jalving, Jan Dekkers and H.N. Werkman, drawers to open, books on every theme and a cabinet of curiosities.
• De pronkstukken – Highlights such as a medieval feudal register of the Bishop of Utrecht and a golden solidus of Dagobert I alongside everyday objects.

Founded

2011

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart (cannot be combined with packages; the museum does not sell the Museumkaart). The CJP pass, the Museumpas of the Platform Drentse Musea and the Voordeelpas Het Drentse Veenland are also accepted. ICOM members have free admission with their membership card. The VriendenLoterij VIP card is not accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: not available

All entrances and passages are suitable for wheelchairs and walkers; only in the old house can it get tight. Walking sticks, walkers and wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge. Two parking spaces near the entrance are reserved for people with disabilities. There are no offerings for blind and visually impaired visitors. Dogs are only permitted as assistance dogs.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

In the Janny Jalving Hall there are numerous drawers that visitors may open. Teaching cases and a teaching box on the Second World War are available for school classes.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre of Nieuw-Dordrecht, Herenstreek 11.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Brasserie Eempien with coffee, tea, soft and alcoholic drinks, apple pie, toasted sandwiches and soup; terraces at the front and back, usable even without a museum visit. The museum shop at the entrance is freely accessible. Free Wi-Fi throughout the building.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 55 guests.

The museum café (about 55 people) can be rented outside opening hours for networking events and meetings, with a guided tour, catering and audiovisual equipment on request. Lunches and buffets are available for groups (from 10 people).

Plan your visit