Museum 't Steenhuus

About the museum

The museum is located in the attached barn of the Iwema-Steenhuus in Niebert, the only surviving stone house in the province of Groningen. Stone houses were originally tower-like buildings of monastery bricks with several rooms stacked on top of one another, which served as protection against enemies and water and in peaceful times were also used as harvest storage. The first were built around 1350 to 1400; later most of them disappeared again. The house in Niebert lies on the ancient hiking and cycling route "'t Pad".

Since 1994 the barn has housed a regional museum with a focus on crafts. It was founded by volunteers and is still run today by the Vereniging Museum 't Steenhuus. The front house with the actual stone house cannot be visited; on request, however, a tour tells of the former residents and the history of the house.

The permanent exhibition shows, among other things, the baker's and painter's trades, a parlour in the style of 1900 and a maid's room with kitchen. Upstairs await old craft tools, a classroom, a grocery shop and a barber's shop, a tavern and shoemaker's tools. Among the special features is a travelling cradle that was intended for Princess Irene in 1940 and travelled with the royal family to England and Canada. Each year a new temporary exhibition is added.

Highlights

• The only surviving stone house in the province of Groningen
• Permanent exhibitions on the baker's and painter's trades
• Parlour from 1900, maid's room, school and shop rooms
• Second World War travelling cradle for Princess Irene
• Orchard with old varieties and a mighty copper beech

Permanent exhibitions

• Ambachtenmuseum: Bäcker- und Malerhandwerk – Two permanent exhibitions show tools and working methods of the baker's and painter's trades.
• Stijlkamer en meidenkamer – A parlour in the style of 1900 and a maid's room with kitchen show the household goods of earlier times, such as a Tuugkist, a coffee roastery and equipment for making mustard.
• Obergeschoss und Reiswiege von Prinzessin Irene – Upstairs there are old craft tools, a classroom, a grocery shop and barber's shop, and a tavern. Also on display is the travelling cradle from 1940 that went into exile with the royal family.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Vereniging Museum 't Steenhuus

Admission & discounts

Admission from age 12 €4 per person. Card payment is possible.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible for wheelchair users; a stairlift leads to the upper floor.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the hiking and cycling route 't Pad. Satnav devices should be set to 't Pad 17, Niebert.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Coffee, tea and soft drinks in the courtyard or on the terrace during opening hours.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The museum is suitable as a venue for weddings and conferences.

Plan your visit