Weverijmuseum Geldrop
Living textile museum in a former weaving mill in Geldrop with looms that still produce, a Jacquard machine and demonstrations.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
In the 19th and 20th centuries Geldrop was a centre of the textile industry; in 1872 there were 16 textile factories in the town centre alone. When more and more businesses closed at the end of the 1970s, a foundation began to preserve machines and tools of the local industry. The Weverijmuseum opened in 1983 in a vacant factory hall, the former NEKO hosiery factory on Heilige Geeststraat; it was opened by former Prime Minister Dries van Agt.
In 2000 the museum moved to Molenstraat, into the carefully restored factory of the firm A. van den Heuvel en Zoon, which had ceased operations in 1981. Architect H. J. Henket led the conversion, which includes a replica of the 1874 water wheel. On 8 September 2000 the museum was opened again by Dries van Agt. The building is a listed monument, and the museum is registered in the Dutch Museum Register. In 2018 the presentation was modernised together with the municipality and sponsors.
The heart of the museum is the weaving hall, where various weaving machines still run – with shuttles, bobbins, grippers or compressed air, along with a Jacquard machine that works with punched cards. Former textile workers demonstrate it, and the cloths and aprons woven on site are sold in the museum shop. Around 100 volunteers keep operations running. An interactive section with two film rooms tells the story of textiles from antiquity to the present.
Highlights
- Weaving hall with looms that still produce (shuttle, gripper, compressed air)
- Jacquard machine with punched cards, based on an invention of 1800
- Replica water wheel of 1874 at the restored factory
- Demonstrations by former textile workers and volunteers
- Museum shop with textiles woven on site
Permanent exhibitions
- Weefzaal (de fabriek) – Weaving hall with machines that still produce fabrics, including a Jacquard machine, braiding and circular knitting machines; specialists demonstrate the processes.
- Textilgeschichte von Geldrop-Mierlo – Modern and audiovisual presentation with two film rooms on the textile industry in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Founded
- 1983
- Director
- Sander Roovers
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 7 · Children aged 8 to 12 pay €5; visitors aged 13 and over pay the full price. |
| Groups (5+ people) | –Groups of five or more must register. Personal guided tour for up to 15 people: €50 surcharge on top of regular admission. |
| Schools (primary and secondary schools) | €5per person |
| Pastry package (from 4 people) | €17Admission plus two coffees/teas and pastry; reserve at least 3 working days in advance |
| Rondje Geldrop (town walk plus museum) | €12.50Historical walk through the town centre (€5) plus museum visit (€7.50); register about one week in advance |
Free or valid with the Museumkaart.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- 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
The museum is accessible to wheelchair users and has a wheelchair-accessible toilet; some passages may be too narrow. A few disabled parking spaces in the car park behind the museum.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 7 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum appeals to young and old; there are children's activities during the autumn holidays, and in October (Maand van de Geschiedenis) a free weaving card to join in. Children up to age 7 are free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Geldrop
By NS train from Eindhoven towards Weert to Geldrop station; Buurtbus line 260 stops on Molenstraat right next to the museum (weekdays 8 am–6 pm).
By car
Parking available
Free and paid parking in the surrounding area and in the centre of Geldrop; car park behind the museum with a limited number of disabled spaces.
- Accessible parking
From Geldrop station (Centrum exit), about 15–20 minutes on foot via Stationsstraat, Heuvel and Wielstraat to De Bleek. By car from Eindhoven via the A67, exit 34 Geldrop/Heeze, towards the centre.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Museum shop with textiles woven on site. The café-restaurant in the neighbouring De Weeffabriek is an independent business (lunch there must be reserved separately).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visitors can explore much of the museum on their own; volunteers are present during all opening hours to demonstrate the machines and answer questions. Regular guided tours are not always offered; groups can book a personal guided tour. |
