Museum Het Vrouwenhuis

About the museum

The house on Zwolle's Melkmarkt was created from two merged townhouses. Around 1680, Mayor Pieter Soury and his wife, the painter Aleijda Wolfsen, shaped a large part of the furnishings: the present Regents' Room, carved garlands of flowers and fruit, a fireplace and the marble floors date from this time. In 1706 the Greve sisters bought the property. Aleida Greve (1670–1742) stipulated in her will that after her death the house should serve single older women of the Reformed Church.

From 1742 the residents were allowed to occupy a room here free of charge, received medical care and an allowance from the founder's estate. For almost 250 years the house remained a charitable hofje. With the introduction of the state old-age pension (1957) and the construction of modern retirement homes, this task became obsolete; the last resident moved out in 1984. The foundation is regarded as the last Zwolle hofje founded by a private individual that still owns its original building; parts of the house are still inhabited.

Since 1987 the ground floor has been a museum. It leads through rooms from three centuries, from the stately 17th-century Regents' Room to the simple room of a 20th-century resident. It includes a collection of paintings unique in the Netherlands, created by young amateur women painters in the 17th century, among them the founder herself. Some of the interiors have been on the national list of interior ensembles since 2018. After a restoration lasting more than two years, the delicate house is accessible again, but only with a guided tour.

Highlights

• 17th-century Regents' Room with carvings and marble floor
• Interiors from three centuries (1680 to 1980)
• Unique collection of paintings by the 17th-century “Penseelprinsessen”
• Individual rooms on the national list of interior ensembles (since 2018)
• Last surviving Zwolle hofje in private foundation ownership

Permanent exhibitions

• Interieurs aus drei Jahrhunderten – The tour leads through the ground floor from the 17th-century Regents' Room to the room of a 20th-century resident.
• Gemälde der Amateurmalerinnen – A collection of paintings unique in the Netherlands, made by young women as amateurs in the 17th century, including works by the founder, Aleida Greve.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Stichting Het Vrouwenhuis

Admission & discounts

The price applies to taking part in a guided tour. The Museumkaart and other discount cards are not accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of its historic construction with small steps, the house is difficult to access for wheelchair users.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Parking directly at the entrance is not possible.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells, among other things, the book on the history of the house (2023).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit