HomeComputerMuseum

About the museum

The HomeComputerMuseum grew out of the private collection of Bart van den Akker, the museum's founder. It opened on March 17, 2018 on Kluisstraat in Helmond. Because space soon ran out and the lease expired, the museum moved on February 2, 2020 to its current building at Noord Koninginnewal 28, which offers more than 1,000 square meters of space.

The concept is an interactive journey through the history of the home computer: in rooms furnished in the style of the respective decades with posters, wallpaper, carpets and desks, there are around 500 computers and game consoles, a large share of which run and may be operated by visitors. The collection begins in the mid-1970s, for example with the Altair 8800 and the Imsai 8080, and covers large parts of the history of Commodore, Atari, Sinclair, Apple, MSX, Philips and Tulip. There is a particular focus on Dutch computer brands.

The museum combines culture with social commitment: it offers supervised workplaces to people who are distanced from the labor market, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, and is also financed through a repair workshop, appraisals, data recovery and the shop. The museum is an arcade café, a repair center and a knowledge center all in one, and for its work received, among other awards, the Erfgoedprijs 2019 from Erfgoed Brabant.

Highlights

• Around 500 home computers and consoles from 1975 to around 2010, much of it hands-on
• Rooms in the style of the 1980s and 1990s
• The Amiga 4000 from the film Titanic and a NASA Amiga 2500UX
• Large collections of Philips and Tulip computers as well as CD-i
• Arcade café Spacebar and workshop for retro repairs

Permanent exhibition

• Interaktive Zeitreise durch die Heimcomputergeschichte – Chronologically arranged rooms with working computers, consoles and games from 1975 to around 2010 that visitors may operate themselves.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Stichting HomeComputerMuseum

Admission & discounts

The Museumkaart is not yet valid here. Donors and Patreon supporters have free admission. Tours are not included in the admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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 whole museum is on the ground floor and is suitable for wide wheelchairs. There is not yet an accessible restroom; the nearest is in the Helmond library (300 m). On all information boards a QR code leads to text that can be enlarged or read aloud.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

All computers may be tried out; children under 14 only with adult supervision. Family ticket as well as packages for children's birthday parties and school classes with a quiz.

Getting there & parking

Because of road closures around the Kasteel-Traverse, sometimes follow the signs instead of the GPS.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Arcade café "Spacebar" in the middle of the museum (food and drink only there), shop at the end of the tour and web shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 250 guests.

The museum can be rented in full (9 a.m. to 10 p.m., starting price €512) or for half a day, with projectors, sound system and fast internet; evening packages for companies and groups as well as children's birthday parties.

Plan your visit