Stadsmuseum Doetinchem

About the museum

The museum goes back to 1936. That year the brothers Kees and Henk Misset, sons of Cornelis Misset, founder of the Doetinchem printing and publishing house, set up the museum "De Kelder". The Misset family also shaped the town in terms of tourism and leisure facilities for its employees. The present Stadsmuseum grew out of "De Kelder"; its role during the occupation was recently examined critically in a separate exhibition.

Since 2011 the museum has been housed in Doetinchem's former post office. The building was designed in 1920 by Joop Crouwel in the style of the Amsterdam School and was used as a post office until 1975. It is built of brick with numerous decorative details, has two heraldic stones by the sculptor Willem Brouwer at the entrance and many original elements inside. The VVV tourist information point and the restaurant Het Borghuis are also in the same building.

The collection is diverse and largely based on donations from private individuals and institutions. One focus is on artists from the circle of the Misset printing company, such as Henri van Kuilenburg, Jan Meinen, Chris le Roy and Frans Storm. The house is run by the Stichting Stadsmuseum Doetinchem, in which many volunteers take part; it sees itself as a platform for contemporary art, social issues and local history.

Highlights

• Former 1920 post office in Amsterdam School style by Joop Crouwel
• Period room with the original furnishings of the postmaster's living room
• Collection with works by the Misset illustrators Van Kuilenburg, Meinen, Le Roy and Storm
• Guided tours by volunteer storytellers
• Awarded the "Ongehinderd" seal for accessibility

Permanent exhibitions

• Stijlkamer – On the first floor, the period room shows the living room of the postmaster from 1920, with the original fireplace and specially designed wall furniture; today it serves as a reading room on local history.
• Sammlung Doetinchemer Künstler – Paintings and drawings by Henri van Kuilenburg, Jan Meinen, Chris le Roy and Frans Storm, who were connected with the Misset printing company and the Achterhoek.

Founded

1936

Operated by

Stichting Stadsmuseum Doetinchem

Director

Isabelle Bisseling

Admission & discounts

Free with a Museumkaart and for members of the Vriendenfonds. Schools can use their Cultuurkaart (CJP) budget.

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

Wheelchairs, rollators and small electric mobility scooters are allowed, and the exhibition rooms can be reached by lift. The house is a listed building from 1920: doorways are 82 cm wide and some rooms have thresholds up to 3 cm. Assessed positively for the "Ongehinderd" seal. Assistance dogs (KNGF) may enter; other pets may not.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children up to 12 years enter free; for school classes there are age-appropriate educational programmes (including "De Verzamelaar" for the youngest children, a programme about collecting).

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Burgemeester van Nispenstraat 2. Bicycle racks to the left of and opposite the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

The restaurant Het Borghuis is in the same building; a visit can be combined with coffee or a borrelplank (Dutch snack platter) as a package.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The Stijlkamer (period room) can be hired outside opening hours for receptions or meetings (€125 per day or €62.50 per half day, plus VAT); coffee, tea or lunch via the restaurant Het Borghuis.

Plan your visit