Museum Landgoed Verhildersum
Take a stroll through history and let yourself be swept away by the past during a surprising visit to this diamond in the rough in the Hoogeland: the Borg Verhildersum Estate.
Have a look now
In the Hoogeland, in the north-west of Groningen, close to the Lauwersmeer area and the Wadden Sea, lies the village of Leens. This beautiful spot is surrounded by ancient trees, endless fields, winding canals, mound settlements and borgen. Here, on the outskirts of the village, lies the Borg Verhildersum Estate. This 32-hectare world of history and culture tells the story of 19th-century Hoogeland. Let yourself be surprised and swept away on a walk through the past, exploring the ancient landed gentry and new manor residents, the wealthy farming class and the poor farm labourers. In short, the many facets of history, each of which holds something wonderful in store for everyone. Discover, on your own or with friends and/or family, the stories and curiosities of the past and bring them to life at the Borg Verhildersum Estate.
An old driveway…
In the Hoogeland, in the north-west of Groningen, close to the Lauwersmeer area and the Wadden Sea, lies the village of Leens. This beautiful spot is surrounded by ancient trees, endless fields, winding canals, mound settlements and borgen. Here, on the outskirts of the village, lies the Borg Verhildersum Estate. This 32-hectare world of history and culture tells the story of 19th-century Hoogeland. Let yourself be surprised and swept away on a walk through the past, exploring the ancient landed gentry and new manor residents, the wealthy farming class and the poor farm labourers. In short, the many facets of history, each of which holds something wonderful in store for everyone. Discover, on your own or with friends and/or family, the stories and curiosities of the past and bring them to life at the Borg Verhildersum Estate.
An old driveway lined with impressive trees on either side leads to a remarkable building. The centuries-old Borg, originally built in the 14th century as a stone house and later expanded into a castle, served as a country house for distinguished families such as the Tjarda Van Starkenborgh family and, later, the Van Bolhuis family of notaries. Discover the rise of the bourgeoisie and the history of the Groningen landed gentry, and, as you stroll through this historic house, experience how these families lived in and around the Borg almost 200 years ago. Meet Edzard Tjarda van Starkenborgh and his wife Alieda, who shared the joys and sorrows of life at the Borg between 1820 and 1821.
The path past the orchard with its old fruit varieties and the workers’ cottage leads you to the farm. Cornelis Borgman, together with his family, was the original occupant of Oud-Bocum farm, but he symbolises the innovative spirit of Groningen’s farmers. New York, 1850: a small town surrounded by large farms. It was from here, whilst visiting his cousins, that Cornelis brought back a huge improvement for agriculture: the Arend Plough. Why was this plough so much better? Find out during your visit to this museum farm. Learn about the wealthy farmers of Groningen, their journeys to New York, fashion from Paris and professorships at the University of Groningen. Stroll across the estate and see the traces of their prosperity and ingenuity.
The estate was always a hive of activity. From the manor’s residents and the farmers right through to the staff, the craftsmen and the villagers. But also the farm labourers, initially employed as permanent staff and later as seasonal workers, who carried out a large part of the work. One of these day-labourer families was the De Vries family. In 1880, they bought a small plot of land and built the ‘Workers’ Cottage’ there. It now shows how they lived there at the time.
Opening hours
- Every Monday closed
- Every Tuesday 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
- Every Wednesday 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
- Every Thursday 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
- Every Friday 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
- Every Saturday 10.30 am – 5.00 pm
- Every Sunday 10.30 am – 5.00 pm