Guided tour of special tiles from Gilliot & Roelants and the Heymissem Local History Museum

Op Wikipedia we read that “The museum keeps the memory alive of the tile factory, founded in 1898 as S.A. Manufactures Céramiques d’Hemixem Gilliot et Cie . The factory was long the largest tile producer in Europe and exported to all continents. It was located right next to the Saint Bernard Abbey. Many of the designs are by the hand of Joseph Roelants . At the world exhibitions of Brussels in 1935 and 1958 , Gilliot & Roelants had their own modest pavilion. ”The local history museum Gilliot & Roelants , also called Heymissen - the dialect form of Hemiksem still used today - found shelter in 1988, ten years after the cessation of production, in the refectory and the chapter house of the abbey. Later, the museum moved to the northern wing. You can see stands on metal and woodworking, agricultural tools, a functional printing shop, shoemaking, carpentry, a smithy, and a beautiful representation of a brickworks with drying sheds, sewing machines, a living room, a small classroom, and a real café. Both museums and the abbey are accessible to wheelchair users. Afterwards, Davidsfonds Wijnegem treats you to a drink at Resto RIVA. Transport : by car. Parking is possible in the vicinity of the abbey. We will arrange carpooling. Therefore, please indicate when registering whether you are driving yourself or want to ride with someone else. Alternative: from Wijnegem tram 10 and train S32 Puurs, see https://www.delijn.be/nl/routeplanner/ Pay before July 1 to bank account Davidsfonds Wijnegem BE58 2200 4807 7579, with reference: Tegelmuseum