Museum Tweestromenland

About the museum

Museum Tweestromenland was established in 1994 in the former St.-Elisabeth-Gesticht in Beneden-Leeuwen. The building dates from 1931 and opened on June 12, 1932 as a home for six sisters of the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family, who cared for the chronically ill there. Still in the same year a maternity center was added; later, medical consultations were also held in the house. The site next to the church in the village center still bears the traces of this convent history: a memorial path called "Zorgstraatje" commemorates nursing and pastoral care, and an overview names the orders that once worked in the Land van Maas en Waal.

The museum tells of life between two rivers. The area remained isolated for a long time, suffered from floods such as those of 1861 and 1926, and a hundred years ago was among the poorest regions of the Netherlands. The permanent exhibition "Leven tussen twee rivieren" (Life between two rivers) traces the development along three themes: from poverty to prosperity, from a Catholic to an open society, and from isolation to good accessibility. The section "Water: Vriend en Vijand" (Water: Friend and Foe) also looks at climate change; another area is devoted to the early inhabitants, from prehistory to Roman times. Further rooms show historical trades as well as works by the painters Jac Maris and Antoon van Welie.

In the visitors' depot, hundreds of objects from the region are arranged clearly together, and there are also three rooms (wealthy, household, poor). The museum describes itself as "eigenwillig" (idiosyncratic): it combines history with the present, often shows contemporary art in changing exhibitions, lets children take an active part, and hosts lectures and concerts on Sundays in the museum café.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition "Leven tussen twee rivieren" on the social history of the Land van Maas en Waal region
• Section "Water: Vriend en Vijand" on floods and climate change
• Visitors' depot with hundreds of everyday objects and three living rooms
• Early inhabitants of the region: prehistory and the Romans
• Works by Jac Maris and Antoon van Welie
• Sunday lectures, concerts and museum café in the former convent

Permanent exhibitions

• Leven tussen twee rivieren – The exhibition traces the path of the Land van Maas en Waal from poverty and isolation to prosperity and better accessibility.
• Water: Vriend en Vijand – The location between the rivers brought fertile land but also floods; an interactive game links this to climate change.
• Bezoekdepot – Open depot with agricultural equipment, kitchen appliances, paintings and three living rooms showing life in different circumstances.

Founded

1994

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart and for Vrienden of the museum (each with valid ID); 50% discount for members of the Historische Vereniging. The museum shop and museum café are accessible without admission.

Accessibility

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

Parking, a ramp, an accessible restroom and an elevator are available. Pets are not allowed, except assistance and guide dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum invites children to take an active part and offers children's activities during school holidays. Children up to 6 years old have free admission.

Getting there & parking

From the A15, take the Leeuwen/Echteld exit and follow the N323 toward Leeuwen, then continue to Beneden-Leeuwen; the museum is next to the church.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café with coffee, tea, pastries, soft drinks, wine and beer; museum shop in the café with gifts (mostly under €15), cards, puzzles and books on the region.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The museum café can be reserved for meetings, lectures, readings and presentations, also with a guided tour, snack, lunch or buffet. Outside opening hours, €45 applies.

Plan your visit