Visit the 100-year-old museum with the free nostalgic horse-drawn streetcar
Under the theme "Outside!", Huis Van Gijn is filling the Whitsun weekend with a special anniversary program. Talk with collection experts about the museum garden and the 19th-century 'penchant' for the outdoors or sample picnic delicacies according to historical recipe. The whole weekend is a celebration at the museum house, which will be extra open on Monday, June 9 (Whit Monday).
Outside!
Around 1900, people longed for rurality. This is reflected in how people decorate their homes and gardens, but also how they spend their leisure time. With the special "Out and About" tour brochure, visitors can discover how the Van Gijns experienced this throughout the weekend in the museum's house and English landscape garden.
Additional celebration program on Sunday, June 8 and Monday, June 9
On Pentecost, there are additional activities for young and old. From old Dutch games in the garden to a botanical drawing workshop. There is also a historical tasting on both days to get acquainted with the tastes of the past. In the garden you can join a "wheelbarrow tour" and find out what Simon van Gijn's favorite rose was. In the garden room, admire the recently reconstructed cloud sky painting. A collection expert explains what modifications the Van Gijns had made to their home in 1886 to bring the outdoors more inside, as was the trend at the time.
Step back in time on the horse-drawn streetcar
June 10, 2025 marks exactly 100 years since Huis Van Gijn first opened its doors as a museum. To mark this anniversary, a nostalgic horse-drawn streetcar will ride from the museum to the historic city center of Dordrecht on Whit Monday, June 9, between noon and 4 p.m. Hop on in front of the library on the Groenmarkt and arrive at the museum in style, or take a ride back into town.
Practical information and tickets
All activities in the museum and garden are included in the entrance fee. Transportation to and from the museum by nostalgic horse-drawn streetcar is free. For program times and tickets, visit huisvangijn.nl/dagvanhetkasteel.
Opening hours Castle Day at Huis Van Gijn:
Friday, June 6 through Monday, June 9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
