Museum De Koperen Knop

About the museum

The Koperen Knop is a stately farm in the Alblasserwaard that was built in the last quarter of the 17th century: the front house of brick, the rear house initially of wood, which was replaced by masonry over the centuries. A wealthy gentleman farmer lived here who held many administrative offices in the region and left the daily work largely to farmhands and maids. In the 1930s a large barn was added behind the house, which a storm destroyed in 1973; on its remains a terrace with a tea house was built, which became the tea garden in 2016.

Until about 1970 the farm was used for agriculture, then the last farmer moved to Groningen as part of land consolidation. The De Kok-de Vos family bought the dilapidated farm, had it restored and used it as a home with an animal feed business and an antiques shop. In 1988 eight entrepreneurs acquired the property and turned it into a museum; it was officially opened in September 1989 by the then Minister of Culture, Eelco Brinkman. It is run by the Stichting Museum De Koperen Knop foundation.

The collection comprises thousands of objects on the history of the Alblasserwaard and is spread throughout the house: the Prunkstube (best parlour), Opkamer with a special wall painting, Rentenierskamer, kitchen and vaulted cellar show the life of farmers of earlier times, and in the Rijgebint there is a tile collection. In the Betuwe pavilion, a wax figure commemorates Trijntje, the oldest buried woman in the Netherlands, whose grave was excavated a few kilometres away. The museum farm also includes a smithy, a hoop-maker's workshop, a cart shed, a Stookhuisje and a garden.

Highlights

• Stately 17th-century farmhouse (Rijksmonument)
• Wax figure of Trijntje, the oldest buried woman in the Netherlands
• Prunkstube, Opkamer, Rentenierskamer and vaulted cellar in original style
• Tile collection in the Rijgebint
• Smithy and hoop-maker's workshop on the museum farm
• Museum café, tea garden and hiking route to Trijntje's discovery site

Permanent exhibitions

• Vaste collectie – Thousands of objects on the history of the Alblasserwaard, spread across the rooms of the old farmhouse from the Prunkstube to the kitchen.
• Trijntje, nummer 1 van de Canon van Nederland – Wax figure and information on the oldest buried woman in the Netherlands, who was excavated not far from the museum.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Stichting Museum De Koperen Knop

Admission & discounts

From age 15 €6. Free with the Museumkaart (adult, youth and child cards) and with the cards of donors and sponsors of the museum. Bankgiro Loterij cards and the Rembrandtpas are not valid.

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

The exhibition room, part of the middle area and the museum café are accessible. The upper floor can be reached by a stairlift (maximum 100 kg). The front house is accessible by wheelchair via ramps if reserved two opening days in advance. The tea garden has a lowered area; the museum garden has grass paths.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

For the exhibitions there are children's search games and often colouring sheets; in the museum and garden children can discover the old way of life, and when the blacksmith is there, they may help out.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café with terrace (drinks, wine and beer, cake, tosti) and in summer a tea garden. Small museum shop with books, postcards, jewellery and textiles; also a library on regional history.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 60 guests.

The upper floor has room for a good 60 people (meetings, presentations, courses; 36 seats for lunch or workshops) and can also be booked for wedding ceremonies. The museum is not suitable for wedding parties and receptions. Enquiries to reserveringen@koperenknop.nl.

Plan your visit