Fields & meadows

The large field and central meadow make up the museum’s agricultural area. Here you will find plants and animals. One long, narrow field is used to grow old crops that once played an important role in farming in the Netherlands.

Developed from heathland

This field and meadow area was developed from heathland in the 17th century. Around 1600, the entire region to the north of the city of Arnhem consisted of heathland. As the population increased during the Golden Age of the 17th century, there was a greater need for agricultural land. The people of Arnhem began to develop the heathland around the city. Close to the city, the land was used for growing tobacco. However, the place where the museum now lies was even further away than the district of Alteveer (“all too far”). This land was too far from the city, and was therefore developed into fields and meadows.

Creation of the estate

In 1726, the mayor of Arnhem, Adriaan Menthen, became the owner of the area. It remained in his family’s ownership until 1757, during which time it experienced many changes. Under the Menthens, the Waterberg estate was created. In 1757 it was made up of a house and a barn, and also featured a garden, a lake, oak, beech and pine woods and a large area of farmland. This farmland is now the central meadow with the large field. The family created a little paradise for itself and gave it the name ‘Waterberg.