Hunebedcentrum

About the museum

The Hunebedcentrum in Borger is dedicated to the megalithic tombs (hunebedden) of Drenthe and the people of the Funnel Beaker culture who built them more than 5,000 years ago. The predecessor of the present museum began operating in 1982 in the former Armenwerkhuis (poorhouse) on Bronnegerstraat and from 1984 was called the Nationaal Hunebedden Informatiecentrum; it is run by the foundation “Borger, Prehistorisch Hart van Nederland”.

On 27 May 2005, Princess Margriet opened the new building. The architect Aldo van Eyck had sketched the design; after his death in 1999, his widow Hannie van Eyck-van Roojen and the architect Abel Blom carried it out. After 2015 the museum was refreshed again, and at the beginning of 2019 a new permanent exhibition followed, developed by a team of archaeologists, designers and museum professionals.

The visit begins with an exhibition on the builders of the megalithic tombs, their housing, economy and rituals and the construction of the tombs, with films, display cases full of funnel beakers, dioramas and interactive games. In the outdoor area, the Oertijdpark leads through 150,000 years of history from a Neanderthal camp to a prehistoric village with three houses from different eras. The offering is complemented by an exhibition on the UNESCO Geopark De Hondsrug, a rock garden and the largest megalithic tomb in the Netherlands directly next to the museum, which is accessible free of charge.

Highlights

• Exhibition “Oog in oog met de hunebedbouwers” on the Funnel Beaker culture
• Oertijdpark with Neanderthal camp, houses from the Stone Age to the Iron Age and barefoot path
• Largest megalithic tomb in the Netherlands directly next to the museum (freely accessible)
• Expo UNESCO Geopark De Hondsrug in the Kenniscentrum
• Museum café “De Trechterbeker” with a view of the megalithic tomb

Permanent exhibitions

• Oog in oog met de hunebedbouwers – Using films, dioramas, funnel beakers and interactive games, the permanent exhibition shows how the builders of the megalithic tombs lived, worked and buried their dead more than 5,000 years ago.
• Oertijdpark – The open-air area leads in stages through 150,000 years of history, from a Neanderthal camp via hunters' huts and burial mounds to a prehistoric village.
• Expo Geopark De Hondsrug – In the Kenniscentrum, the exhibition explains why the Hondsrug area holds UNESCO status and how ice ages and early settlers shaped the landscape.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Stichting Borger, Prehistorisch Hart van Nederland

Admission & discounts

Free for Museumkaart holders, Vriendenpas holders and holders of the Vriendenloterij VIP card (one person). The largest megalithic tomb next to the museum is accessible free of charge. Reservation is not necessary; tickets are also available at the ticket desk.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A large part of the museum is wheelchair accessible; the levels are connected by a small lift that is too small for mobility scooters. Next to the revolving door there is a separate entrance whose doors open at the push of a button. Parts of the outdoor area are harder to navigate in the rain, and some doors of the prehistoric farmhouses are too narrow for wheelchairs. Wheelchairs and walkers can be borrowed free of charge (reservation possible). Two wheelchair-accessible toilets, two disabled parking spaces at Bronnegerstraat 12. Registered assistance dogs are welcome; staff do not have sign language skills.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Interactive exhibition for all ages, children's activities and school programmes. In the Oertijdpark there is a barefoot path, a butterfly garden and – under supervision – an archery range; the prehistoric houses can be entered. For children there is also the “Junior archeoloog” membership and the Hunebednieuwscafé for children.

Getting there & parking

The Hunebedcentrum has no fixed taxi rank; taxis may stop at Bronnegerstraat 12 and, if necessary, directly in front of the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café “De Trechterbeker” (Trechterbekercafé), by its own account the only café in Drenthe with a view of a megalithic tomb, serving drinks, pastries and lunch dishes. The museum shop with books, replicas, regional products and cuddly toys is freely accessible.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

In winter (Mondays to Wednesdays from 2 November to 14 February, except during the Christmas holidays) the entire museum complex is available exclusively for corporate events, with an auditorium for up to 100 people, workshop rooms, the café (76 seats) and the Oertijdpark.

Plan your visit