The museum takes you through the many centuries of history in the region, from prehistory to the last world war. You will find numerous and sometimes unusual items here that are between 50,000 and 50 years old.

The museum is housed in a so-called Töddenhaus. Tödden (Dutch: Teuten) were seasonal itinerant merchants and peddlers who, in particular, sold the linen made in rural domestic businesses during the winter the following summer. The high point of the Tödden trade was in the 18th century. The house shows you what prosperity simple merchants could achieve.

Translated by Google •

February 18, 2024

Some images in this highlight show Genenbroek Castle. That's not Grevenbroek Castle (of which only ruins still exist), even though it is often incorrectly called that. But it is certainly not the Grevenbroek Museum, which is located in the Simonshuis, a teuten house with a park diagonally opposite the church, built in 1883, and once inhabited by Frans Schellens from Eindhoven who manufactured velvet in Hachel with his company Tissage de Velours. That Simonshuis, which was home to the headquarters of the 2nd British Army under General Sir Miles Dempsey from September 1944 to April 1945, is home to the museum. In the Grevenbroek Museum, a small regional museum, attention is also paid to the mentioned company of Frans Schellens and Miles Dempsey (after whom the road is named) and the tourist office is also located in the Simonshuis. In the park you will also find, among other things, a work of art that recalls Tissage de Velours, a bench made with old counterweights of the bells from the Achelen church tower, a series of information boards placed in a circular route with information about the various sights and/or historical facts of Hamont-Achel and a place of comfort with a round bench from Ferm. The collection in the museum is divided into various periods, from prehistory to the 1960s. But again: it is certainly not in a castle as some images of Genenbroek Castle suggest. That castle came into the hands of the Dutch owner of Oostappen Holiday Parks, Peter Gillis, in 2021 and is therefore not to be confused with Grevenbroek Castle, as so often happens.

Translated by Google •

February 18, 2024

About the Simonshuis and its history where the museum is located: "Simonshuis so-called after the former owners, a prominent Teuten and mayoral family from Achelen, who built the house in 1883. Later called Villa Schellens for a while, after the industrialist Frans from Eindhoven Schellens (1878-1968), later owner and resident and founder of the company "Tissage de Velours", which was located at the back in the period 1913-77. Built on the site of a former low white Teuten farm with stable, barn and shop, to which an oak avenue led. In 1944-45, headquarters of General Dempsey and meeting place of General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery. In 1974, acquired by the municipality, together with the park and the grounds behind it, then 77 ares 46 centiare. Since 1982, seat of the V.V.V. Hamont-Achel and since 1988 also "Museum Grevenbroek", with special attention to prehistoric finds and local history. In 1994, renovation of roofing, gutters and windows. In 1997, the museum was expanded with an annex, so that it now has seven rooms. On the top floor, caretaker's house." Real Estate Inventory 2024: Simonshuis, id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/80083

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 40 m

Weather

Wednesday 24 December

-1°C

-5°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Hamont-Achel, Maaseik, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Prachtig uitzicht

Canal Path Along the Albert Canal

Heide Observation Tower

Birdwatching Hide Hageven

De Doodendraad (1914-1918) – Achelse Kluis

Rusthuisje voor de heide

Sint-Monulphus en Gondulphuskerk Achel

Achelse Kluis Abbey

View of the Malpie Fens

Over Den Draad

Tongelreepdal Nature Walk

Wandeling in Het Hageven

Grevenbroek Museum

1. Grevenbroek Museum – De Witte Berg loop from Achel

2. Grevenbroek Museum – De Warande Watering System loop from Achel

3. De Tomp (Achel Mill Tower) – De Bever Nature Reserve loop from Achel

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️