Gorcums Museum

About the museum

The museum’s history begins in 1909: at that time the dilapidated 16th-century house “Dit is in Bethlehem” in the Gasthuisstraat was threatened with demolition. Committed citizens founded the local heritage society Oud-Gorcum, bought the building, had it restored and opened a museum there in 1912. When maintenance became too expensive for the society, the City of Gorinchem took over responsibility for the collection and operation in 1983 under a 50-year agreement; the museum was restored and reopened.

Over time the old house became too small. When the city administration moved to a new town hall near the station in 1994, the former town hall on the Grote Markt became available. The building, erected in 1860, stands on a site where the city government already sat in the Middle Ages. After a fundamental conversion, the museum moved in there on 14 June 1995 and developed into a cultural centre with history, contemporary art, an art rental service, tourist information and catering.

The permanent presentation “Historie en kunst” tells the city’s history in “Gorcumse Gezichten” through the people who shaped Gorinchem, including the story of the Martyrs of Gorkum. “Gorcumse Goederen” shows changing pieces from the storage depot and, in the auditorium, an art-historical overview from the 17th century to today. The city collection brings together works by artists who lived in Gorinchem after 1945, such as Ad Dekkers, Sjoerd Buisman, Marinus Boezem and Peter Struycken. At the end of 2025 the city adopted a multi-year plan as the basis for certification under the guidelines of the Dutch Museum Association.

Highlights

• Permanent presentation “Gorcumse Gezichten” on city history, including the Martyrs of Gorkum
• Art-historical overview in the auditorium from the 17th century to today
• City collection with works by Ad Dekkers, Marinus Boezem and Peter Struycken
• Changing pieces from the storage depot (“Gorcumse Goederen”)
• Art rental service and the restaurant ’t Oude Stadthuys in the same building

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische presentatie – Gorcumse Gezichten – The history of Gorinchem told through the people who shaped the city, including the Martyrs of Gorkum.
• Gorcumse Goederen – het depot – Changing pieces from the storage depot, from everyday objects to showpieces, show life in Gorinchem in earlier times.
• Stadscollectie – In the auditorium, an overview leads through Gorcum art history from the 17th century to today, with works by local artists such as Ad Dekkers and Peter Struycken.

Founded

1912

Operated by

Gemeente Gorinchem

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every Wednesday and on the Culturele Zondag (2nd Sunday of the month)

Free admission also with the Museumkaart or ICOM card, for members of Vereniging Rembrandt and the Historische Vereniging Oud-Gorcum, for friends of the museum and for subscribers to the art rental service. The Museumkaart is available at the reception. A guided tour for groups costs €30 during and €40 outside opening hours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The building has a lift and a barrier-free toilet on the ground floor; a wheelchair is available, and there are folding stools in the exhibition rooms. Behind the museum is a car park with special spaces. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Children can get active themselves in the Atelier op Zolder, and there are tours specially for children’s groups.

Getting there & parking

By car from the A15 or A27 to the Gorinchem exit, then towards the centre to the Kazerneplein car park. Gorinchem can also be reached by bicycle ferries across the water (riveer.nl); the marinas are within walking distance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Eet- & Drinkerij ’t Oude Stadthuys on the ground floor with terraces on the Grote Markt and at the Groenmarkt; museum shop with books on city history; the VVV tourist information is located at the reception.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The auditorium on the first floor (view over the Grote Markt) can be rented in certain cases for meetings, receptions or presentations (€500 per half day plus VAT). The former town hall is an official wedding venue of the municipality of Gorinchem; the Atelier op Zolder has room for groups of up to 20 people.

Plan your visit