Leiden Weavers' House Museum

Leiden Weavers' House Museum

The Leiden Weavers' House is a museum located in Leiden, South Holland Province, the Netherlands. Situated in an ancient weaver's residence, the museum showcases the core activities historically associated with this house and its surroundings, namely: the textile industry, the drawing and printing industry, and the canning industry. During opening hours, weaving demonstrations are often performed on historic spinning wheels.

In 1961, the Leiden municipal government aimed to promote road expansion. As these houses were not yet designated as historical monuments, a large number of weavers' residences were slated for demolition. Fortunately, the Leiden Housing Preservation Foundation was established by local citizens in 1976 with the mission to prevent large-scale destruction of Leiden’s older districts. Over the next 35 years, the foundation renovated and converted most of the weavers' houses into residential homes, not only preserving these structures but also retaining the typical courtyards characteristic of such dwellings.

In 2003, the Leiden municipal government purchased the few remaining unrestored weavers' houses and designated them as protected historical monuments. Among them, the weavers' house at Middelstegracht 143 uniquely retained all the features of 19th-century housing for textile workers, and thus was chosen to become a museum. After two years of preparation, the museum officially opened to the public on September 9, 2005.

Museum Het Leids Wevershuis

Must-visit reason: The most profound memory of Leiden’s weavers

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Netherlands[Netherlands]

Province/State where the attraction is located: South Holland [South Holland]

City where the attraction is located: Leiden [Leiden]