Museum Vekemans

About the museum

It began in 1976 with the auction of what was then the largest European collection of washing and ironing equipment. Bernard Vekemans, a Boxtel entrepreneur and son of a family in the laundry trade, attended one of the viewing days, was fascinated by the variety of irons and started collecting himself. Some of the irons auctioned at that time still form the core of the "Wasschen & Strijken" collection. Artworks about washing and ironing were added, including paintings, etchings and engravings, as well as intricately carved mangle boards.

In 2007 Vekemans took over from Ans van den Bosch – Van Dillen an extensive collection of clothing, bonnets and "poffers" together with its documentation, in order to preserve this part of Brabant's heritage for future generations. It entered the museum in 2008 as a second collection under the title "Brabant GoedGemutst" and shows rural life in Brabant between 1850 and 1950. In May 2011 the house was admitted to the Dutch Museum Register, officially recognizing it as a registered museum.

The collections are privately owned and have been made available to the Stichting Museum Vekemans on a long-term basis. Alongside them, the museum presents three themed exhibitions on Brabant heritage: "Brabants Volkje", "Doopkamer" and "Religieus Panorama". The house lies behind a green gate in the pedestrian zone of the Stationsstraat and is run entirely by volunteers, who also lead the tours. Most of the holdings have been digitized and can be explored online via Brabants Erfgoed.

Highlights

• "Wasschen & Strijken" collection with irons, mangle boards and art about washing from around 350 years
• "Brabant GoedGemutst": bonnets and poffers of rural people (1850–1950)
• Art collection with paintings, etchings, engravings and sculptures
• Themed exhibitions "Brabants Volkje", "Doopkamer" and "Religieus Panorama"
• Digital collection online via Brabants Erfgoed

Permanent exhibitions

• Wasschen & Strijken – Irons, mangle boards, paintings and prints tell the story of 350 years of washing and ironing culture.
• Brabant GoedGemutst – Bonnets and poffers show the clothing of rural Brabant people between 1850 and 1950.
• Brabants Volkje, Doopkamer und Religieus Panorama – Three themed exhibitions on scenes from life in 20th-century Brabant.

Operated by

Stichting Museum Vekemans

Admission & discounts

Price valid since January 1, 2026. Free with a Museumkaart and with the museum's Vriendenpas.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

According to the museum, it is not fully accessible for wheelchair users; however, the entire collections can be viewed via video panels.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

According to the museum, the bonnet collection is also instructive for children; educational programs for primary schools.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is at the start of the pedestrian zone, opposite the former Rabobank, through a green gate between Stationsstraat 39 and 41. By car via the A2, exit 26, toward Boxtel.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop: not available

No museum shop as such; two books (on irons and on poffers) are available at a low price.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit