Internationaal Klompenmuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum is named after the brothers Eiso (1916–1977) and Egbert Wietzes (1925–1988), the last clog makers in Eelde. Besides crafting high-quality clogs for everyday wear, they also collected wooden shoes from many countries. After Egbert's death, the Stichting Klompenmuseum Gebr. Wietzes, founded in February 1988, took over the care of the roughly 600 pairs and the tools; the museum opened with its first exhibition in 1990, and in 2002 the collection passed entirely into its ownership.

Also in 1990, the museum acquired the collection of H. P. Bongers, a technical-school teacher from Enschede, with wooden shoes and rare tools from the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France and Spain. In 2009 the museum was able to purchase nearly 600 ornate pairs from France. According to the museum, its holdings today comprise about 3,000 pairs of wooden shoes and wooden-soled shoes from some 45 countries, hundreds of tools from six European countries, simple machines from around 1920 and an extensive archive.

At first the museum staged an exhibition every two years; since 1997 it has mounted a new one every year. It is run by around 60 volunteers without subsidies from the municipality or province, and the board members pitch in themselves. The entire collection can be searched in an online database, and in the long term the museum is planning a larger new building.

Highlights

• About 3,000 pairs of wooden shoes and wooden-soled shoes from some 45 countries
• Workshop with historic clog-making machines from around 1920
• Collection of ornate French wooden shoes (acquired in 2009)
• 2026 annual exhibition "Klompen op Reis" with links to the visual arts
• Original Wietzes clogs in the museum shop

Founded

1990

Operated by

Stichting Klompenmuseum Gebr. Wietzes

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart (not valid for group visits). Card payment accepted even for small amounts.

Accessibility

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

Everything is on one level; entrances and passageways are suitable for wheelchairs and rollators, and there is an accessible restroom. No special services for blind and visually impaired visitors. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

As part of the "Oktober Kindermaand" (children's month), on October 10/11 and 17/18, 2026 (13:30–17:00), there is a hands-on activity "Klompen op reis" for children aged 4 to 12: the story of the traveling wooden shoe, making a suitcase and painting a little clog; no registration needed, accompanying adults pay €7. The shop sells a coloring book and a kit for a wooden-shoe sailboat.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Museum shop with coffee bar: wooden-shoe souvenirs, original Wietzes clogs, children's books and craft kits. Free Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit