Weaver’s house
The textile workers in Gemert generally lived in simple, often small houses. These houses were functional, aimed at supporting the productive activities of the weavers.
Weaving textiles and home weavers
Gemert has been a real weaver’s village for centuries since the Middle Ages. Today there is only one textile factory left, but around 1900 more than 200 home weavers were active in Gemert to earn a living with and for their families. These artisans worked from their own homes, using simple looms to produce textiles.
As time progressed, the Industrial Revolution began to influence textile production, leading to the establishment of the first textile factories in Gemert. These factories offered more efficient production methods, but the home weavers continued to play an important role in the local economy.
In the Weaver’s House there is a weaving room decorated with red and blue tiles. The handloom on display here is a copy of a centuries-old Gemert loom, now in the possession of the local history society Gemert. The loom was often owned by the weaver himself, although poor weavers could rent one (at fifty cents to one guilder a year (!)). The woven goods were sold at the market or exchanged at a local textile mill for coupons. These vouchers had a certain monetary value and could be spent in some shops.
Discover more of the museum
Weave. The art of craft
Weaving is considered a high craft because of the skill and precision required to produce quality textiles. The knowledge of materials, patterns, and techniques required extensive training and skill, which made the craft a respected occupation. Weavers are still active in the Boerenbondsmuseum who regularly show demonstrations of this craft.
