Museum Nairac

About the museum

The museum is named after Carel August Nairac, who was mayor of Barneveld from 1841 to 1883. He was a passionate collector with a particular interest in archaeology and from 1873 displayed his finds in an antiquities room on the first floor of the municipal building. This laid the foundation for today's museum, one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands.

The archaeological finds grew into a museum that tells the history of Barneveld: how people lived, worked, worshipped and lived together here. Since 1975 it has been housed in a former 17th-century brewery in the town centre opposite the church. In 2013 it reopened after extensive renovation and redesign.

The permanent exhibition “Verhalen uit onze collectie” leads from the oldest soil finds of the Veluwe via Jan van Schaffelaar and local crafts to the Second World War and art from the region. The archaeology section has been renewed, and for schools there is, among other things, the installation “Living the Dilemma”, in which young people experience moral dilemmas from the years 1940–1945. There are also changing exhibitions that use art and current stories to link past and present.

Highlights

• Archaeological finds from Barneveld and the Veluwe
• Stories about Jan van Schaffelaar and the town of Barneveld
• Former 17th-century brewery
• Installation “Living the Dilemma” on the Second World War for students
• Museum café and museum shop

Permanent exhibition

• Verhalen uit onze collectie – The collection tells of Jan van Schaffelaar, local crafts, the archaeology of the Veluwe, the Second World War and art from the region.

Founded

1873

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart and Rembrandtkaart. A social rate is available on request for guided tours (rondleidingen@nairac.nl).

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

The entrance doors are not automatic; volunteers will come to help if you ring the bell. There is a lift and, for the listed part of the building, a platform lift; one room in the listed part is not wheelchair accessible. Information is mostly provided on digital screens with adjustable font size. The accessible toilet is on the right after taking the lift down. Assistance dogs are welcome, pets are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children receive two treasure hunts at the ticket desk: “Sam Sloddervos” for ages roughly 3 to 6 and a letter hunt for ages roughly 6 to 12; after handing in the sheet, there is a small surprise in the museum shop. Occasionally there are children's workshops, for example during the autumn holidays.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in a car-free zone in the centre at the foot of the Grote Kerk; from the A1 or A30 take the Barneveld exit, then follow the P route to Torenplein.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A museum café (coffee or tea) and a museum shop with art books, gifts and cards are freely accessible. For coffee or catering, visitors are referred to the restaurant De Rozerie opposite.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 75 guests.

Two rooms outside opening hours: “Deel” (75 chairs, projector, sound system, Wi-Fi; €200 per part of day) and “Kip en ei” (16–20 people; €150 per part of day), each plus €50 cleaning.

Plan your visit