Streekmuseum De Kalkovens
Regional museum at the lime kiln complex in Dedemsvaart, with a teaching house, peat shed, peat barge and a historic gasometer from 1932.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Around 1820, several lime kilns were built along the Dedemsvaart, the canal laid out by Baron W.J. van Dedem. Good waterways, cargo space for the return freight of shells, and the young peat colony's need for lime for houses and soil improvement all made the site attractive.
The Historische Vereniging Avereest (Avereest Historical Association) housed its antiquities room in the teaching house at the lime kilns. The site was gradually developed into a museum: in 1999 an authentic peat shed was added, in 2015 a boat slipway was opened, and there is a peat barge. In 2003 the complex officially received the name Streekmuseum "De Kalkovens" Dedemsvaart.
The museum includes three lime kilns, one of which houses an exhibition for children, as well as the teaching house with its antiquities room, the peat shed and the peat barge. In the rear part of the teaching house are tools of the peat colony and evidence of shell lime production in the former municipality of Avereest. The antiquities room shows changing exhibitions, photos, a library and a reconstructed shop from the early 20th century.
The gasometer on the grounds also belongs to the museum: a telescopic wet gas holder from 1932, which was in operation until 1987. It was restored as a Rijksmonument (national monument) and now serves as a mini theater.
Highlights
- Three lime kilns, one with an exhibition for children
- Teaching house with peat colony tools and the history of shell lime
- Antiquities room on the former municipality of Avereest
- Peat shed and peat barge
- Gasometer from 1932 with a mini theater
Permanent exhibitions
- Leshuus mit Altertumskammer – Tools of the peat colony and shell lime production in the rear part, with the antiquities room at the front on the history of the municipality of Avereest.
- Turfschuur – An authentic peat shed shows how the area developed from wild moorland into today's municipality; the presentation is refreshed every year.
- Kalkovens mit Kinderausstellung – The Historische Vereniging has set up an exhibition for children in one of the three surviving lime kilns.
- Operated by
- Historische Vereniging Avereest
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 16: €2 per child; younger children enter free. |
| Groups | –Groups by appointment only. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
There is an exhibition for children in one of the three lime kilns. Children up to 6 years old enter free.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The gasometer belonging to the museum operates as an event venue with its own website (gashouderdedemsvaart.nl).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Request guided tours for groups by email, stating the date and group size. A virtual tour of the grounds is available on the website. |
