preHistorisch Dorp

The preHistorisch Dorp in Eindhoven is a historical open-air museum located in the Genneper Parken. The site was founded in 1982 by Anneke Boonstra, who initially built a replica Iron Age settlement to study how people lived in that era. Over time, this first farming settlement grew into the village of Eversham, which was later renamed the Prehistoric Open-Air Museum. Over the years, the museum was expanded to also depict the medieval history of the region, and for a time it was called the Historical Open-Air Museum Eindhoven. After merging with the Museum Kempenland in 2012, the institution operated under the umbrella name Eindhoven Museum. Since 2016, the open-air museum has used its original name again, with the capital H in preHistorisch indicating that both prehistory and more recent history are covered.

At the museum, you can experience six different historical periods, ranging from the age of hunter-gatherers to the Eighty Years' War. Reconstructed buildings and living history demonstrations form the heart of the experience. Staff members, known as time guides, wear period clothing and demonstrate traditional crafts as well as the daily life of each era. In addition to regular operations, major events take place throughout the year, including the largest Viking festival in the Netherlands, Roman days with marching soldiers, and, since 2023, an annual medieval fair that transforms the grounds into a historical town.

The museum appeals to a broad audience, including families, tourists, and school groups who take part in special educational programs. For several years in a row, it was named the best museum for children in North Brabant. In July 2026, the preHistorisch Dorp was integrated, together with the Eindhoven Museum, into the newly opened Museumpark VONK. The open-air museum's reconstructed buildings and activities were retained and now form the outdoor area of the new park, which was officially opened by King Willem-Alexander on September 2, 2026.