Eyewitness Beek: World War II through the eyes of August

Frits Pieper
18 dec 2015

The number of people who consciously experienced the Second World War and can tell about it from their own experience is shrinking. Don't worry. The Eyewitness Museum in Beek (LB) makes you an eyewitness to the war yourself.

From hobby to museum

Eyewitness is a private museum and an initiative of Wim Seelen. In 2008 he sold the family business, of which he was the third generation. Seelen spent the millions and the time that became available on his great interest: the Second World War. Plans for a museum slowly unfolded. After four years of preparation, the museum opened its doors in 2013.

Eyewitness account

As an entrepreneur, Seelen knew he had to approach it creatively to distinguish himself from the dozens of war museums in our country. He created the fictional character August Segel (1917-1945). Visitors to Eyewitness hear and see the eyewitness account of this German parachutist in the museum, which is based on real events. A special angle, because it shows the human side of the war, through the eyes of the 'enemy'.

War comes to life

August takes you into his world and tells you his story using thirteen scenes, with lifelike dolls, authentic uniforms of NSB and SS members, weapons and other memorabilia. The horrors of war, such as dead and wounded, raids, deportations and concentration camps, are not avoided. Many of the scenes have audio and video material available. Letters to the home front written by August make the story even more vivid.

Interesting detail

The museum is housed in the former official residence of Joop van Sonsbeeck, mayor of Beek, who resigned in 1941 due to fundamental objections to the German occupation. In 1944 he went into hiding and towards the end of the war several members of two SS divisions were still staying in the building, including reportedly several high-ranking officers. A special background for a war museum.

XNUMX Week Childcare package

Eyewitness Beek is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10.00:17.00 to 12.00:18.00 and on weekends from 6:4 to 12:10. The normal entrance fee is XNUMX euros for children from XNUMX to XNUMX years old and XNUMX euros for everyone older.

Eyewitness is located at Maastrichterlaan 45 in Beek. There is a limited number of (free) parking spaces on site.

Read here about Attune's day trips with Adrem.

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