Welcome to the Historical Museum de Bevelanden

A treasure trove of Beveland's cultural heritage

Welcome to the Historical Museum De Bevelanden. The museum, which was formerly an orphanage, today covers three floors and presents a fascinating history of the islands of North and South Beveland. As you journey past the many different exhibits, you will learn about the local militia, you will find yourself in the middle of a drowned village, and you'll discover the history of Goes from the stories of both orphans and famous Bevelanders. In the large attic (or Zeeuwse Meisje room), there is an exhibition of traditional local costumes. For children a special 'treasure hunt' has also been organised. Needless to say, there is always someone available to help you and to answer any questions. Please note that smoking and photography are not allowed.

Gebouw (the building)
The building dates from the 15th century when the Black Sisters started the consruction of a convent. A sample from one of the beams in fact, has been dated from 1492. After the reformation, the function of the building was changed, and from 1628 it became the town's orphanage. For several hundred years, the associated chapel was the church for the protestant community of Walloons. In the 19th century, the chapel became a school for both orphans and the poor. Since 1965 the building has been used as a museum, and following extensive re-building during 2004, was re-opened to the public in mid-2005.

Begane grond (ground floor)
From the 'Bevelands Museumcafé' (the Beveland Coffee Corner) you enter the museum along the Kloostergang (Cloister). On your left are toilets, safety deposit boxes for any valuables, cloakroom and the Museumshop. At the end of the passage is the Zwarte Zusters Zaal (the hall of the Black Sisters) where a regularly changing series of exhibitions is presented. To the right, you will enter the great hall where the first of the permanent exhibitions can be found.

Met man and macht (with might and main)
Until the coming of the French in 1798, the town and surrounding countryside were defended by civil guards and a local guild of citizens' militia. Four lifesize paintings together with a host of artefacts give a fascinating insight into the history of the guild. Unique to the presentation, is that you can also see the reverse side of the paintings.

Via het trappenhuis of lift (staircase or lift) you arrive on the eerste etage (first floor) to find yourself in the centre of the drowned village of Gobbenoord which disappeared beneath the floods of 1530. A number of special exhibits are also presented:

Blinken en verzinken (shining and sunken)
An exhibit of opposites. bright sunlight shining on waving fields of corn, or gold and silver, glass and porcelain or beautiful examples of the art of the printer and bookbinder. On the other side. the sad remains of what were once busy villages, with broken pot shards, pieces of metal, bones and bricks and splinters of glass.

Waar Wezen Waren (life in the orphanage)
Darkness, cold and lonliness. That was the only life that the children of the orphanage knew. So sit quietly for a minute. and let their stories wash over you.

Stadsgeschiedenis (the history of Goes)
Open as of October 2006 is an exhibition on the history and development of the town of Goes. The town was started in the 19th century, when a group of shepherds came to the Korte Gos creek and built a settlement of huts. Around this time, a number of important families had a 'castle hill' built close by, from which they could oversee and exercise total control over the village and creek, and the inhabitants. Over the years, Goes steadily grew and became increasingly important - not least due to its favourable location as a harbour, which meant tolls could be charged!

Zeeuws Meisje (Zeeuwse girl)
Once more. take the staircase or lift (push button 3) to the Zolderverdieping (the attic). Here you will find an extensive collection of traditional costumes from the area in the Zeeuwse Meisje (Zeeuwse girl) room. The lifelike collection covers some 150 years of Beveland's history and shows how the costumes evolved, how to recognise those of the protestants and the catholics, where the materials for the fabrics and the costume jewellery came from, and how the wearing of the costumes has slowly declined. A number of film clips of interviews with wearers and ex-wearers of the traditional dress, give you an impression of life as it was.

Back in the 'Bevelands Museumcafé' (the Beveland Coffee Corner) you can relax with a cup of coffee and a mouth-watering slice of apple tart! Here, you can also find a selection of interesting books, brochures and in the showcases, a range of special mementos relating to the exhibitions which we hope you have enjoyed. There is also a visitors book in which we would appreciate your adding any comments.