In 1979, the birthplace of Father Gerlacus van den Elsen, co-founder of the N.C.B. (now ZLTO) and known as ‘the peasant apostle’, was in danger of being demolished due to roadworks in Gemert. The main board of the N.C.B. showed little interest in preserving the farm, but did want to keep the memorial stone from 1956. As a result, the local department administration set up a working group that developed a plan for the reconstruction and relocation of the farm, including the purchase of land and the construction of outbuildings.
In order to secure the financing of this ambitious project, it was necessary to increase interest in the life and work of Father van den Elsen. This was done by writing a biography and organizing an exhibition in 1983, which was very successful. Thanks to various fundraising activities, including the sale of a slaughterhouse and a service auction, the working group was eventually able to buy the property and begin restoration in 1985.
This restoration, including the construction of a bakehouse, was made possible with the support of the municipality of Gemert, which provided material for a reception and exhibition space. This project illustrates the successful efforts of local communities to preserve and celebrate cultural heritage.
The museum is growing
The Brabant village square of the museum now includes a farm, bakehouse, barn, weaver’s house, blacksmith’s shop, clog factory and a combined shop-café. The Boerenbondsmuseum also has a field chapel in honour of Gerlachus van den Elsen, a manual power dairy, an N.C.B. destruction building, a rural school, and a short-gable farm with a farmer’s loan bank.
The museum organizes weekly theme days during the summer season. But also an annual nostalgic fair, a historical parade and in the winter an atmospheric skating rink and the museum is the place to stay for Sinterklaas.
Our volunteers
We must not forget our more than 200 volunteers from the surrounding area, who take care of the further expansion and maintenance of the museum, the documentation, demonstrations, organization of theme days, guided tours, et cetera.
These volunteers are managed by equally enthusiastic managers. The museum was opened in 1990 and Riek and Martien Hurkmans – van de Weijer – became the first administrators. Ria Peters-Konings has been the museum’s manager since 2001.
Board of the Boerenbondsmuseum
- Toos van Katwijk, chairman: voorzitter@boerenbondsmuseum.nl
- Jan van Dijk, Vice-Chairman
- Leo Driessen, treasurer: administratie@boerenbondsmuseum.nl
- Peter Oostenbach, secretary: secretaris@boerenbondsmuseum.nl
- Wilhelmien van Els, board member
- Peter van den Berg, board member of volunteer affairs
- Antoon Vermeer, board member
- Wilco Peters, board member communication and marketing: communicatie@boerenbondsmuseum.nl
Did you know?
Hey, did you know?
The first visitor was the then Minister of Agriculture Gerrit Braks and since then many have followed him. The Boerenbondsmuseum has also welcomed a number of dignitaries, such as Princess Beatrix (in 1990 as Queen and in 2021 as Princess) and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima (in 2022).
The Boerenbondsmuseum has also been the setting for various films, documentaries and reports of various Dutch and foreign productions, including De Bende van Oss, Apestreken, various programs of Omroep Brabant (Zinderend Zuiden, Hashtag, De Kracht van Brabant with Frank Lammers) and the Klokhuis.
