Nederlands Mijnmuseum
Museum in the former Kneepkens department store in Heerlen on Dutch coal mining, told across four floors from black to colour.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Nederlands Mijnmuseum was founded in 2005 by former miners so that the history of coal mining would be passed on to later generations. It opened on 7 November 2005 in the winding tower building of the former Oranje-Nassau I colliery in Heerlen, where it was housed for about 15 years. This building from 1898 is now a national monument (Rijksmonument) and still belongs to the museum, but it can only be visited on a few weekends.
In 2022 the museum moved to a larger building in the centre of Heerlen: the listed Kneepkens department store from the 1940s, designed by the architect Frits Peutz and a testament to the prosperity that the region's coal brought. With the move, the museum received a new exhibition concept and a registered collection; since then, the two sites have told a shared story.
On four floors, each colour sets a theme: BLACK shows work and technology underground, GOLD the social and cultural heyday that mining brought to the region, GREY the dark sides and the colliery closures between 1966 and 1974, COLOUR the region's transformation since then. The collection includes a large miners' lamp collection and mining tools, among other things. The museum is run by the Stichting Carboon.
Highlights
- Four themed floors: Black, Gold, Grey and Colour
- Large collection of miners' lamps
- Listed Kneepkens department store by Frits Peutz
- Second site: Oranje-Nassau I winding tower building with the original winding engine from 1897
- The design of the Efteling roller coaster Baron 1898 is modelled on the winding tower building
Permanent exhibition
- Vier Etagen: Schwarz, Gold, Grau, Farbe – The permanent exhibition leads from work underground through the heyday of the mining region and the colliery closures to the transformation of the Mijnstreek; each floor has its own colour and its own theme.
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- Stichting Carboon
- Director
- Leen Roels
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €11 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9Students and CJP holders |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Young people up to and including age 17 have free admission. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –A reduced rate applies for companions of wheelchair users (companion ticket at the ticket desk). |
| Students & apprentices | €9With a valid student card or CJP. |
| Groups (6+ people) | –Groups of 6 or more are asked to register; packages with a guided tour (up to 60 people) or coffee and vlaai (10–35 people) can be booked. |
| Combined ticket Mijnmuseum + Mijnmonument | €15Adults; the monument is accessible for up to one month after purchase, but only on Open Shaft weekends |
| Combined ticket for students | €13Student ticket €9 plus €4 supplement for the Mijnmonument |
| Coin tour for children (from age 6) | €2per child |
| School tour in the museum | €55per guide, at least one guide per 15 children |
| School tour at both sites | €85per combined guide |
The Museumkaart is not valid. Tickets are available at the ticket desk or online.
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
The main site is wheelchair accessible, with a threshold-free entrance (manual door, staff help hold it open), a lift (cabin 210 cm long, 90 cm wide, 210 cm high) and an accessible toilet; stairs have handrails, and there is seating on every floor. A disabled parking space in front of the door with three hours of free parking. On request, inclusive visit options and a low-stimulus room are available; low-stimulus visits outside opening hours are possible.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
The coin tour is a treasure hunt for children from age 6 (€2 per child) with a small surprise at the end. Young people up to 17 have free admission; prams are allowed. An educational programme is available for schools.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Heerlen (Bahnhof) · 8-min walk · 650 m
About 8 minutes on foot from Heerlen station.
By car
Paid parking · 3-min walk to the entrance
The Q-Park Raadhuis and Q-Park Putgraaf car parks are each about a 3-minute walk away; at Putgraaf a low-priced space can be reserved in advance. Guarded bicycle parking at Akerstraat 20 (120 m; Mon–Sat 7 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun noon–6 p.m.).
- Accessible parking
A short stop to drop off and pick up passengers is usually possible directly in front of the building.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Coffee corner with table service and a large reading table on the ground floor; small museum shop with books and gifts at reception.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming for private use are permitted; flash, tripods and professional equipment only by arrangement. |
| Good to know | The museum works with audio, video and sound effects. Group tours (up to 60 people) and school visits (from year 7 of primary school) with a guide after registration at reserveringen@nederlandsmijnmuseum.nl or +31 45 571 37 07. Children under 12 may only visit accompanied by an adult; dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs. |
