With great public interest, in the presence of almost all 160 museum volunteers, Professor Peter van Vollenhoven officially opened the newly renovated DAF Museum in Eindhoven. Mr. van Vollenhoven is a member of the Dutch royal family, which has always had a special relationship with DAF.
Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven conducts the official opening.
The DAF museum receives nearly 60,000 visitors a year, making it one of the most popular museums in the Eindhoven area and the most popular museum in the city, according to TripAdvisor research. Not going to rest on its laurels, the DAF museum is becoming an even more enticing curiosity – for the past eighteen months, reconstruction and modernization work has been carried out there; the museum aims to increase the number of visitors to 80,000 per year.
Awesome expansion
When you walk into the “new” museum, the first thing you notice is a brand new entrance area, a renovated restaurant, a new gift shop, and a fresh, modern look to all of these places. However, the biggest change is only apparent upon entering the exhibition space – the addition of a brand new wing, providing more than 1,100 square meters of space.
“This fantastic expansion has given us even more space to better highlight important events from DAF’s rich history,” says Mark Van Doorn, president of the Friends of the DAF Museum Foundation and grandson of DAF founder Hab Van Doorn. “It also means that we can now trace DAF’s history right up to the present day, which allows us to highlight the importance of modern transport, as well as showcase the latest developments in the field, such as engine technology.” “Van Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek”, later known as “Van Doorne’s Automobiel Fabriek”, has always been famous for its innovative solutions. These solutions are represented in the impressive series of trailers, cars and trucks that are on display at the DAF Museum.”
Official opening
The museum was officially opened on Friday 8 November 2019 by Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven, who arrived at the DAF Museum in a unique DAF Pony. Only 15 of these trucks were made – the one the professor drove in belonged to the Dutch royal family.
Heartfelt thanks to the volunteers
“I’m sure my grandfather Hub and his brother Wim Van Doorn would be incredibly proud if they could see what we’ve accomplished at the new DAF Museum,” says Mark Van Doorn, President of the Friends of the DAF Museum Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to our more than 160 volunteers – mostly enthusiasts and former DAF employees – without whom we could not have done this upgrade, and who have made sure that everything is in place in the museum and that we are ready to welcome visitors every day.”
To celebrate the official opening of the new DAF Museum, open days will be held on Friday 22 November, Saturday 23 November and Sunday 24 November. On these days, admission prices will be reduced (6 euros for adults and 3 euros for children under 15). More information can be found on the websitewww.dafmuseum.nlor on the museum’s Facebook page.
Description of photos 1 and 2Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven, a member of the Dutch royal family, officially opened the new DAF museum on Friday 8 November.
Description of photos 3, 4 and 5The completely renovated DAF Museum has been expanded, adding more than 1,100 square meters of additional space, so that its diverse collection is now on display at its best.
