Van Meerten House

Collecting Passion

Lambert van Meerten was an enthusiastic collector of architectural fragments, Delftware, and furniture, with a special fascination for the Dutch Golden Age. His passion for collecting grew so extensive that he eventually built a house specifically to display and house his collection.
Van Meerten gathered architectural fragments both for inspiration and study, but also simply for the pleasure of surrounding himself with them. Together with his sister Dina, he lived among the many objects he collected throughout his life.

The house is divided into two parts. At the front were the representative rooms, where Lambert received guests and displayed the most important pieces from his collection. At the back of the house were the private family rooms, including Dina’s living room and Lambert’s study.

A nineteenth-century house with a seventeenth-century appearance
Old building fragments have been incorporated everywhere in the interior: consoles, carvings, box beds, tile pictures and fireplaces. This was combined with panelling, mosaic floors and stained glass. Lambert van Meerten clearly did not hide his great love for applied art. Yet there was also room for modernities.

The house was equipped with modern comfort such as underfloor heating, gas light and electricity, which was special at that time. Check out the impressive vault. When it's closed, it's hard to find, but once open, it's just as good as a modern walk-in closet. Feel free to enter.

Living in a Museum
It was clear from the start that this house and Van Meerten's collection would be open to the public. Lambert wanted craftsmen, artists and students to come and learn about the arts and crafts of the past. They could gain knowledge and inspiration there. The large hall provided space for lectures, performances and concerts. The Old Dutch Room was furnished as a period room.

Lambert van Meerten unfortunately went bankrupt in 1902 and large parts of his collection were auctioned. Thanks to a group of friends, the collection was partly preserved. Neverthelssd his house became a museum and place of inspiration, with Adolf le Comte as its first director.

Visiting address

House Van Meerten - Oude Delft 199 - 2611 HD Delft

Facilities

This museum house works with time-slots. Please reserve a time slot

Museum house Van Meerten is not accessible for visitors in a wheelchair