Streekmuseum de Meestoof

About the museum

The Streekmuseum De Meestoof in Sint-Annaland shows life and work on the islands of Tholen and Sint Philipsland roughly between 1850 and 1955. It owes its name to madder cultivation: a red dye was extracted from the roots of the madder plant in a "Meestoof". The industry flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries and ended when two German chemists produced the dye synthetically in 1868.

Since 1973 the museum has been housed in the former municipal hall of Sint-Annaland, built in 1940 in traditionalist forms to a design by A. Rothuizen. Over the years further buildings were added on the grounds, including a Norwegian gift house: after the storm flood of 1953, the Norwegian King Haakon gave the Netherlands 326 prefabricated wooden houses; one of them was moved here from Stavenisse in 2003 and furnished in the style of the 1950s.

The collection includes the Tholen traditional dress with caps, ear irons and jewellery, a classroom from 1910, archaeological finds from the drowned town of Reimerswaal, and more than 80 works by the ceramicist, painter and glass artist Chris Lanooy, born in Sint-Annaland in 1881 – according to the museum, the most extensive Lanooy collection in the Netherlands.

Highlights

• Over 80 works by the ceramicist and glass artist Chris Lanooy
• Norwegian gift house after the 1953 flood on the museum grounds
• Classroom from 1910, which also serves as an official wedding venue
• Tholen traditional dress with jewellery and ear irons
• Madder cultivation and finds from the drowned town of Reimerswaal

Permanent exhibitions

• Chris Lanooy – More than 80 works by the ceramicist, painter and glass artist born in Sint-Annaland: ceramics, glass, paintings, chalk drawings and designs from all phases of his career.
• Noorse geschenkwoning – A wooden house given by Norway after the 1953 flood disaster, moved here from Stavenisse and furnished in the style of the 1950s; films present the memories of survivors.
• Meekrapteelt – The cultivation and processing of madder on Tholen and Sint Philipsland – the subject to which the museum owes its name.

Founded

1973

Admission & discounts

Free for Museumkaart holders, members of the museum and holders of the Rembrandtkaart. The museum shop and café can also be visited without admission. Groups of 12 or more can visit the museum outside opening hours.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

The ground floor of the main building and the three barns are accessible to wheelchair users. Dogs are allowed only as assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

A treasure hunt (Speurtocht) for children is available at the ticket desk; school programmes for primary school groups. The escape room is aimed at teenagers aged 16 and over (younger players only with at least two people aged 16 or over).

Getting there & parking

Free charging point for e-bikes during opening hours.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Museum café with coffee, tea and Zeeland bolus; atrium for larger groups. The museum shop carries Zeeland products and gifts with a Tholen theme. Guest Wi-Fi via Publicroam.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 50 guests.

Official wedding venue in the authentic classroom (around 50 people); the atrium has room for larger groups.

Plan your visit