Grenslandmuseum

About the museum

The Grenslandmuseum tells of everyday life in the twin villages of Dinxperlo (Netherlands) and Suderwick (Germany), where the national border literally runs across the kerb. Boundary stones were not set until 1766; from 1816 to 1993 the line was also a customs border, where regulations and checks shaped residents' lives – and where smuggling could earn good money.

The museum was founded in 1985 on the initiative of the foundation "Bewaar 't Olde", today's Vereniging Historisch Dinxperlo, and moved into part of the restored village farmstead at Markt 1–3, one of the oldest listed buildings in the village. When the housing association wanted to sell the building in 2017, the board decided to stay at the location; in August 2018 the purchase succeeded with the support of local experts and a loan from a friend of the museum. A separate foundation was set up to run the museum.

The collection comprises documents, photos, uniforms, customs items, contraband, confiscated goods and weapons, smuggling hiding places and recorded memories, as well as items of the German customs administration from the collection of the customs officer Hoymann. Eleven large picture panels span the period from the Middle Ages to the temporary "corona border", and volunteers add personal anecdotes.

Highlights

• Life on the border between Dinxperlo and Suderwick
• Customs objects, uniforms and contraband in illuminated display cases
• Items of the German customs administration (Hoymann collection)
• Eleven picture panels on border history, some with QR codes
• Stories and anecdotes from the volunteer guides

Permanent exhibitions

• Leben an der Grenze – Collection on the drawing of the border, customs, smuggling, the world wars and cross-border trade, complemented by objects of the German customs administration.
• Elf Tafeln zur Grenzgeschichte – Picture panels from the Middle Ages to the temporary "corona border", some with QR codes, plus a panel on the history of the building.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Stichting Grenslandmuseum

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Museumjaarkaart; contactless payment possible. Supporters of the museum (from €25 a year) visit with their family free of charge.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Children of primary school age pay a reduced admission of €1.50.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on the Markt in Dinxperlo, directly on the border with Suderwick (Germany).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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