ZeeuwsFruitMuseum

About the museum

The ZeeuwsFruitMuseum is dedicated to fruit growing in Zeeland, which has been practised there on a growing scale for a good century. It was founded by passionate fruit growers who wanted to preserve old equipment, methods and knowledge for posterity. It officially opened as a museum in 1996 and shows its collection in the premises of the former lower horticultural school in Kapelle. Since its founding it has been run by volunteers who archive, restore and give guided tours.

In the permanent exhibition, the four themes of blossom, growth, harvest and pruning lead through the history of fruit growing, showing how closely the tasks of the year are linked. On display are tools and teaching materials from the time when horticultural training was offered only in Zeeland, before Wageningen took over this role. The auction clock from 1917 and the benches come from the Kapelle fruit auction, which closed in 1985; here visitors can press the buttons themselves and experience what bidding was like. In 2023 the depot was opened to visitors.

The garden around the museum took its present form in 2018/2019 in the project "Het Buitenmuseum", partly with EU funding, and is fully accessible. It is divided into sub-gardens such as the grafting, professional, citizens' and castle gardens and shows more than 170 varieties, the oldest from the 18th century, grown organically. In 2023/2024 the museum repositioned itself under the name ZeeuwsFruitMuseum and, alongside history, now also focuses on the ecological, economic, cultural and culinary aspects of fruit.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on fruit growing in Zeeland (blossom, growth, harvest, pruning)
• Interactive auction with the original auction clock from 1917
• Museum garden with over 170 fruit varieties, the oldest from the 18th century
• Open depot and library on the history of fruit growing
• Museum café with terrace among the fruit trees

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung Obstbau – The history of fruit growing in Zeeland along the themes of blossom, growth, harvest and pruning, with historic tools, teaching materials and the interactive auction.
• Open Depot – Objects from fruit growing that are not currently in the permanent exhibition; one item at a time is put in the spotlight on a rotating basis.
• Museumsgarten (Buitenmuseum) – Sub-gardens with more than 170 fruit varieties, a tunnel greenhouse, a wall greenhouse and a bee hotel.

Founded

1996

Director

Joost van Es

Admission & discounts

Free for holders of the Museumkaart or ICOM card and Friends of the ZeeuwsFruitMuseum (membership from €15 a year, with 10% discount in the museum shop).

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 spacious; thanks to the "Het Buitenmuseum" project, the garden has been made well accessible for people with disabilities. On request, a wheelchair and a rollator are available, as well as three portable folding seats, a magnifying glass for the visually impaired, clear signposting and, on request, task lighting. An accessible toilet and a gender-neutral toilet are available. Pets are not allowed in the exhibition rooms (except guide dogs); leashed dogs are allowed in the garden.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children aged 4 to 18 pay €4.50, the Gezinskaart costs €20. There is a children's treasure hunt, the interactive auction at the historic benches and watching the bee hotel in the garden; age-appropriate programmes are available for schools.

Getting there & parking

The museum can be reached through the large red entrance gate.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café with terrace right among the fruit trees, open to everyone even without a museum visit; lunch is also available for groups. The museum shop is also freely accessible.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Group visits and room rental are possible; the website lists parties at the museum and business meetings as enquiry topics.

Plan your visit