Paper Mill Herisem

About

The paper mill is an authentic example of a 16th century paper mill and shows you the old craft of making paper. The former cardboard factory is a national treasure of industrial archeology: you can see there the machines with which the first mechanic cardboard was produced. The museum as a whole explains you the genesis of the production of paper and cardboard in Belgium. It shows you how a craft became an industry driven by the influences of the industrial revolution in Belgium. All the machines show there specific type of mechanical drive which was available in there period, from a water wheel till a steam engine. So, if you want to see and experience today how life was in a 16th century paper mill or a 19th-century cardboard factory, you have to visit this museum. With the help of an audio guide (September 2006), a brochure or with the help of the guide, you can walk through the old industrial complex and learn where all the machines were about. (The guided tour with a demonstration of handmade paper takes more or less one hour and 30 minutes).

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes