Exhibition crafts and harvest in the 19th century
Groningen Wadden Museum Borg Verhildersum shows and experiences the history of Groningen through the eyes of the nobility, the farmer and the farm worker. The differences between rich and poor were great. In the Verhildersum museum farm, attention is paid to the lives of farmers and workers. The various exhibitions in the farm are closely related.
Part of the extensive collection of agricultural implements and old crafts from the 19th century are always on on display. In the barn of the museum farm you can see how the harvest was done in the 19th century. You will find all kinds of tools used during the harvest, with videos of farm workers in action. Verhildersum is a special Groningen borg, because 30 hectares of land have also been preserved. So-called 'park cattle', the Groninger blaarkop and Lakenvelder cows, graze there.
The bakery
In the large museum hall you can see tools that were used in the bakery, complete with the baker's cart that used to deliver the bread.
Land reclamation
In addition, there are tools on display that were used for land reclamation and the construction of dikes. Groningen farmers have been reclaiming new land from the sea for centuries. They have dams built from willow branches so that sand and clay silt up. Anyone who cycles, drives or walks through the Groningen countryside along the Wadden coast will see the result. It is not without reason that you will find farms with names such as Oud-Bokum — such as the farm where Cornelis Borgman was born — and Nieuw Bocum. When sufficient land had been reclaimed, a dike was constructed to prevent flooding. The farm for the next generation of farmers could then be built on the new land. It was hard work for the workers...
Noordpolderzijl, photo Roelof Bos
Cycling tour: Culture and nature hand in hand (40 km)
Experience the world of Groningen farmers and workers in the 19th century. See the result of their hard work. Verhildersum, together with Open Air Museum Het Hoogeland, developed six beautiful cycling tours that enhance the experience of your visit to the exhibition. The Nature and Culture route hand in hand in particular fits the story of the land reclamation. View the salt marshes and the old and new farms on land reclaimed over many centuries. Potatoes, mustard seeds and grain grow luxuriantly on the oily clay soil. Experience the grain republic of Groningen, which brought so much wealth. Then and now. Partly thanks to innovations in agriculture. Like the Eagle Squad. Take the free route booklet with you at the information desk or download the free app here: Treasure Map of the Waddenland.
Walk around Verhildersum through former salt marshes (9 km)
The experience route across the Verhildersum Estate includes a 9 km walk. This walk 'In the footsteps of Edzard van Starkenborgh' goes via Leens and Grijssloot to De Starkenborgh near Wehe den Hoorn and back to Verhildersum. Along the way you will see large farms built on an old embankment of a stream to the Wadden Sea and constructed dikes. Here you walk through former salt marshes created by land reclamation that were drained after dike construction. Also read about the origins of the landscape and look at the 3 mounds on the estate. With our web app Verhildersum To Go! you will experience the Groningen Wadden coast around Verhildersum completely. Experience the landscape and put on your hiking shoes!