De Karstenhoeve

About the museum

The Karstenhoeve is a farmstead of the Saxon type, built at the beginning of the 17th century. Around 1680 the wealthy Karsten farming family lived here; they farmed the property until 1841 and held influential offices in the village. After that, the estate changed hands several times in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In 1953 the municipality of Ruinerwold bought the decaying farmstead in order to preserve it; Mayor Gelinck pushed through the purchase despite divided opinions on the municipal council. The subsequent restoration cost around 50,000 guilders, with the front house returned to its earlier condition and the rear house restored to its original form.

Today the house displays a collection of everyday objects, clothing, needlework and agricultural tools. There is an exhibition space in the attic, and coffee, tea and pear cake are served in the large deel (threshing floor). The Dr. Larijweg in front of the house was laid out in 1924 and planted with a thousand standard pear trees, whose harvest is auctioned every year on the first Saturday in October.

Highlights

• 17th-century Saxon-type farmstead with restored front and rear house
• Collection of household goods, clothing, needlework and agricultural tools
• Personal guided tour through the front house, rear house and exhibition attic
• Tea room on the deel with homemade pear cake
• Avenue of a thousand pear trees along the Dr. Larijweg

Permanent exhibition

• Museumsboerderij De Karstenhoeve – The front and rear house show rural everyday life with household goods, clothing, needlework and agricultural tools; there is an exhibition in the attic.

Admission & discounts

Tickets are available at the ticket desk on site. The school programme “Jan en Jet” including a museum visit costs €3.25 per child; accompanying adults are free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

There are some thresholds in the front house, but the house can be entered by wheelchair; aids for the thresholds are available. The exhibition attic can only be reached with a stairlift. On request, visitors can drive through the large gate right up to the threshold-free door. There is an accessible toilet; assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Children under 6 have free admission. In the school programme, children help with tasks as in the old days and try old games such as skipping rope, stilt walking and hoop rolling.

Getting there & parking

Satnav address: Dr. Larijweg 21, 7961 NL Ruinerwold.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Tea room on the large deel with coffee, tea, pear cake (also with cream) and homemade vegetable soup; space for groups of up to 80 people.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 80 guests.

Small meetings of up to about 12 people in the museum kitchen, larger groups in the deel (up to 80 people) with Wi-Fi, projector and screen; catering, team outings and celebrations possible. The farmstead can also be booked as a wedding venue.

Plan your visit