Visiting this museum was totally unplanned. It was just down the road from our intended museum – Nationaal Monument Kamp Vught. Geniemuseum? All the big machines parked around lawn got me curious. The gate was wide open. We walked right in.
Geniemuseum is an Engineer Museum about the military engineering history of the Engineer Regiment. Since 1748, the engineers have been a part of the Royal Netherlands Army. Their main duties are building bridges and fortifications, applying explosive charges and clearing them, and building shelters and encampments.
Since 1970, the museum resides here at Van Brederode barracks, building K, previously part of the ‘Konzentrationslager Herzogenbusch’, a Nazi concentration camp. It was the camp’s kitchen.
Geniemuseum means Museum of Genius when translated. Literally.
The museum spans outdoor on Genie Park and the building indoor. The outdoor area is vast, comprising of bailey bridge, aluminium road mat, tramline bridge, 6×6 tipper truck, sentry post, pole anchor, Caterpillar D4 tractor, bulldozer, excavator, armored vehicle, minelayer, bunkers, telescopic crane, and more. It was extensive! The indoor exhibit displays uniforms, photos, scale models, masks, tools and equipment, Coat of Arms of the Genius through seven themes, several audiovisuals and a library. If time permits, you could get a dog tag made for a small price. A way to contribute to the organization.
The museum is also a meeting place for all active and former engineers and their supporters to come together.
To be honest, I did not understand much about this museum. Everything was in Dutch! Everything. I walked through the museum scanning with my Google Translate camera. Most translations were not making much sense. I gave up. I did finally find a link on their website with explanation in English and German about those big machineries outside on the Genie Park. Too technical. The museum is definitely outdated as well.
Still, it was an interesting hour of walk-through, learning about the work of Geniuses, stretching my legs.
Tip: Combine your visit with Kamp Vught for a half day Day Trip!
Website: https://www.geniemuseum.nl
Address: Lunettenlaan 102, 5263 NT Vught.
Opening Hours: Tue – Thurs from 10am to 4pm. Open on Sundays in July and August from 10pm – 4pm.
Entrance Fees: €6.00 for adults, €3.00 for kids age 5 to 18 years old and free for kids under 5 years old. Free entry for Museumkaart holders.
Getting There: From train station ‘s-Hertogenbosch / Den Bosch, take bus 207 direction Cromvoirt which only runs once in an hour. Duration about 20 minute. Check https://9292.nl. Highly recommended with your own car transportation!
