Huis Van Gijn

About the museum

Huis Van Gijn on the Nieuwe Haven in Dordrecht is the former home of the lawyer, businessman and collector Simon van Gijn (1836–1922). He and his wife Cornelia Vriesendorp (1840–1889) bought the house in 1864 when they married. A little over two decades later they had it partly rebuilt by the architect Constantijn Muysken, who also designed the rooms in historicising styles, matched to their respective functions.

Van Gijn collected with great passion – prints, weapons, ship models, furniture, silver, ceramics and toys – and used the corridors and staircase in particular as exhibition space. In his will he stipulated that the house with its collections should become a museum; in 1925 the "Museum Mr. Simon van Gijn" opened to visitors. During a comprehensive renovation from 1999 to 2001, the house was largely restored to its lived-in state before 1922, and it has been called Huis Van Gijn ever since. The team continues to carry out research and is gradually returning rooms to their original furnishings, including the living and working quarters of the staff.

Today the museum conveys everyday life in a wealthy household around 1900 from cellar to attic: you learn what a working day for the maid looked like, what was on the menu and how to lay a table. Together with the Dordrechts Museum and the Hof van Nederland, the house belongs to the Dordrecht museum group.

Highlights

• Salon, garden room, dining room and gold leather room in the style of around 1900
• Kitchen and staff quarters from cellar to attic
• Collection of prints, weapons, silver, ceramics and toys
• Toy attic and hands-on dressing-up attic
• Museum café on the city garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Dwaal door het huis – die Räume des Hauses – The rooms, from the salon, Tuinkamer and study to the kitchen, dining room and gold leather room, show the life of a wealthy family and its staff around 1900.
• Spielzeugdachboden und Verkleidungsboden – In the attic there are miniatures from Van Gijn's time and costumes from the 18th and 19th centuries to try on.

Founded

1925

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart, ICOM, Dordtpas, Rotterdampas, AICA card, VriendenLoterij VIP card and Rembrandtkaart.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Despite differences in level, all rooms can be reached; adapted toilets in the building (baby changing room in the wheelchair toilet on the 2nd floor). Loan wheelchairs (reserve at least one working day in advance: info@dordrechtsmuseum.nl, +31 78 770 52 17). Some rooms are dark, especially in the darkest months – important for visitors with visual impairments; monthly tour "Huis Van Gijn op gevoel" (Fridays or Sundays). With a disabled parking permit you may park in all regular spaces.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free admission up to age 18. "Speurblad" search sheet (€1.50) with sticker sheet, free "Museumhapper" fold-out sheet, dressing-up attic with historic costumes and toy attic with dolls' house and railway; children's birthday parties possible. Prams and buggies allowed (lift available), back carriers are not.

Getting there & parking

Until 21 April 2027 the N3 is closed due to work on the Papendrechtsebrug – allow extra travel time by car; train services are not affected.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum café on the city garden (also accessible without a museum visit; museumcafe@huisvangijn.nl); museum shop. Lockers and unattended cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit