Collection

Until quite recently, the flax industry was nearly the most important industry of the Leie region. Due to the exceptional qualities of the Leie, also called The Golden River, the quality and the colour of the flax were matched nowhere. Today, flax remains an important industry for the region. The Flax Museum invites you to this fascinating story. The museum displays the different aspects of the flax preparation and the most important finished products.

The museum is divided into four parts "from linseed to fibre", "the cottage industry", "lace and damask" and "daily life".

Department "from linseed to fibre"

In the department "from linseed to fibre", we get a reflection on the cultivation and the preparation of the flax. The museum shows the weeding, the hand pulling by means of authentic tools. Discover the technique of making the cone-chaped bundles, the so-called chapels. Once the flax is harvested, the long process of the flax preparation starts: beating, rippling, retting, breaking, scutching and hackling. It is hard to realize, but the preparation of the flax was a challenging occupation, the hard work of strong men not shrinking  from working overtime, fearless of dust and the smell of retted flax.

Department "cottage industry" 

In the long nineteenth century (1800-1914), flax workers tried to earn some money by spinning and preparing the flax to the finished product. In the department "cottage industry", the flax museum  reflects on the history. You get acquainted with the spinning, weaving, embroidery and lacemaking, the handiwork that many generations of children learned at school.

Department "lace and damask"

The second wing proudly presents the fine handiwork of the Flemish women. In the collection "lace and damask", the different kinds of lace, their evolution and the many local varieties are widely displayed. You discover some brilliant damasks, a luxury product of Kortrijk.

Department "daily life"

In the department "daily life", 16 gripping scenes, animated by life-size polyester figures, show the use of lace and linen. You will be impressed by the all-round presence of flax in your own life.