Museum 't Vlasschuurken
Family museum in Koewacht on traditional flax processing (1850–1960) in historic barns, with a linen museum shop and tearoom.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Museum 't Vlasschuurken in Koewacht is an information and knowledge center on flax and linen. The village in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, near the Belgian border, was once known for its flax industry. The museum was founded in 1995 by Theo and Ingrid de Letter, who still run it as a family museum to keep alive the memory of this industry.
It is housed in a historic 19th-century scutching shed, where flax used to be scutched. Next to it is a barn with machines developed from 1920 onward, including various flax-pulling machines and a ribbling machine. With real tools and machines, the handcraft processing of flax between 1850 and 1960 is demonstrated, from cultivation and harvest through retting and scutching to spinning the fibers.
The museum lies behind the shop "Maison du Lin," which offers linen fabrics, gifts, regional products and bed and table linen made to measure. In the garden there is also the tearoom, where groups can get coffee, tea and cake after registering. The house organizes demonstrations, lectures, workshops and special exhibitions and takes part in the Ambachtelijk Weekend (craft weekend).
Highlights
- Handcraft flax processing from 1850 to 1960 with real tools
- Historic scutching shed from the 19th century
- Flax-pulling and ribbling machines from the period from 1920 onward
- Museum shop Maison du Lin with linen and regional products
- A guided tour is part of every visit
Permanent exhibition
- Handwerkliche Flachsverarbeitung – Real tools and machines show every step from cultivation through retting, scutching and spinning to linen.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Familie de Letter
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 4 · Children under 5 free. |
| Groups (6+ people) | –Group rates on request by telephone. |
The price applies to all exhibitions and facilities of the museum; payment in cash or by card.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking next to the museum and nearby is signposted.
The museum is at Eikenlaan 45 in Koewacht, near Hulst and Terneuzen.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Museum shop "Maison du Lin" with linen, gifts and regional products; tearoom in the garden (groups by arrangement only).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography for personal use is allowed; flash and professional equipment only with prior permission. |
| Good to know | A guided tour is part of the visit; prior registration by email or phone is recommended. School groups are welcome, and materials for pupils are available on the website. According to the museum, a visit takes 30 to 90 minutes. |
