Major restoration to begin at Bokrijk

The government of Flanders has approved a proposal by minister-president Geert Bourgeois for multi-year financing of restoration work at the Bokrijk open-air museum in Limburg. The government will provide €14.5 million over a five-year period starting next year.

The land in Genk on which the museum stands was purchased by the province in 1938 from the Belgian farmers’ union and consisted of a mix of fields, woods, marshland, lakes and heath as well as former abbey farm buildings. Eventually the idea emerged to create an outdoor museum along Scandinavian lines, where the buildings themselves were exhibits preserved in their original state.

Most of the buildings now at Bokrijk were brought in from other sites in Flanders, dismantled beam by beam and rebuilt on the museum site. Bokrijk opened in 1957, with buildings from mainly the 17th century to the end of the 19th – although the oldest building dates to 1507. The buildings include farmhouses, barns, a windmill, a schoolhouse, blacksmith’s forge, church and inn.

Some of Bokrijk’s core exhibits are in need of extensive repair, explained Bourgeois, whose portfolio also includes heritage. Because of the scope of the project and its complexity, a multi-year plan is required.

The government’s funding will cover some 80% of the restoration budget, with the province of Limburg picking up the rest. Restoration will begin immediately on 11 buildings, including wind and water mills and the church in the Kempen section of the museum.

“We are delighted with this agreement,” said Igor Philtjens, provincial deputy in charge of heritage and tourism and president of the non-profit that manages the museum. “The museum is a unique heritage collection with houses, barns, chapels and other constructions from all over Flanders. Thanks to this structural approach to Flemish government financing, we will be able to safeguard our heritage for future generations.” 

The museum will remain open during the works. In related news, the government also approved a subsidy of €972,000 for the renovation of the Plaza Cinema in Duffel, which dates from the inter-war years. The former cinema will be turned into a cultural centre, while retaining its striking entrance foyer, antique cash register and projector.

Photo: Luc Daelemans/Onroerend Erfgoed