Schoenenkwartier

About the museum

The foundation was laid by the shoemaker and teacher Antoon Hendriks, who had been collecting since the 1930s. He first showed his pieces publicly at the SLEM (Schuhe, Leder und Mode) exhibition in Waalwijk in 1953. Regional shoe manufacturers then founded a museum, which opened in 1954 in a tiny house on the Kloosterwerf. In 1960 it moved into the former villa of a leather manufacturer on the Grotestraat and in 1983 into the former Pinocchio shoe factory, where it was called the Nederlands Leder- en Schoenenmuseum (Dutch Leather and Shoe Museum). It closed in 2019 for the move, and on June 28, 2022 it reopened under the name Schoenenkwartier in the west wing of Waalwijk's old town hall, the listed Kropholler complex. In 2023 the building was named "Publieksgebouw van het Jaar" (Public Building of the Year), and in 2024 the house was nominated for the title European Museum of the Year.

The collection comprises around 20,000 objects, including 13,000 shoes. The oldest fully preserved example is a wooden clog (trippen) from around 1300. The focus is on the heyday of the Dutch shoe industry from 1875 to 1975. In addition there are designer shoes by Ferragamo, Louboutin, Blahnik and United Nude, sneakers, and significant holdings by the American designer Beth Levine. The collection also records the stories behind the shoes, such as orthopedic shoes.

The Schoenenkwartier sees itself as a museum, knowledge center and lab in one. In the Schoenenlab, designers and students work on prototypes under professional guidance; visitors can watch or join in workshops. The Kenniscentrum (knowledge center) offers a library, a media library, a hands-on material cabinet and an auditorium.

Highlights

• Around 20,000 objects, including 13,000 shoes from 1300 to the present
• Permanent exhibitions "Hoe het gemaakt wordt", "Het verhaal van de Langstraat" and "Wie de schoen past"
• Schoenenlab with workshops and a view into the workshop
• Kenniscentrum with a hands-on material cabinet
• Shoe hunt with Okke de Spin for children
• Museum café with the "Halve Zool" pastry specialty

Permanent exhibitions

• Hoe het gemaakt wordt – Uses historical machines and interactive stations of today to show how leather and shoes are made.
• Het verhaal van de Langstraat – Five main characters tell of life in the region, which has been known for leather and shoes for centuries.
• Wie de schoen past – Thousands of years of shoe history, explained through place, time, rituals, function and identity.

Founded

1954

Admission & discounts

Prices include the temporary exhibitions. Free admission with the Museumkaart and ICOM membership. On Waalwijk Wednesday (weekly market day), every second ticket is free (the cheapest ticket is free; cannot be combined with other offers). Payment by card or contactless only.

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

All floors are reachable by elevator; the exhibition rooms are at ground level and step-free. A loan wheelchair is available free of charge (cannot be reserved). Accessible parking space on the Winterdijk; there is a market on Wednesdays, when drop-off there is more difficult. Assistance dogs are welcome; other pets are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

For children aged 4 to 12 there is the shoe hunt with Okke de Spin, a mini catwalk zone, children's workshops in the Schoenenlab and children's birthday parties. Changing table near the toilets; children's chairs in the museum café.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A59, exit 37 Waalwijk (N261), then follow the signs for Centrum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum café with coffee, lunch and the "Halve Zool" pastry specialty; the café and museum shop are accessible without a ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 30 guests.

The auditorium of the Kenniscentrum (30 seats) is booked by companies and schools for presentations, including outside opening hours.

Plan your visit