About us
Mission
Historische Huizen Gent runs seven urban historic houses which all have their own identity: the Castle of the Counts, the Belfry, St Peter’s Abbey, St Bavo’s Abbey, the two city palaces Hotel d’Hane Steenhuyse and the Arnold Vander Haeghen House, and Ghent City Hall.
These houses are not only the historic faces of the city, but also modern windows onto the world of today. Historical awareness and critical thought go hand in hand. Historische Huizen Gent aims to tell new stories through old places. Stories from the past and present rather than objects and collections are our guide to look at the world.
The houses of HHG are all open houses, places where people of today can meet the spirits of the past, where people from Ghent and tourists come and spend time together. Places to be, places to experience, and especially places to connect with stories. With a touch of imagination, the historic houses also embellish the city. Together, they rise above the mundane.
HHG charms with its stories. They are stubborn, they amaze, they surprise, and they stimulate. They move us deeply or touch us with humour. The stories of HHG invariably run the gauntlet of old and new, fact and fiction, serious and playful, science and art, rational thought and emotion, and informing and entertaining. They are recognisable, but they also inspire. They stimulate personal reflection, for these houses have a certain magic which spurs us on to discover a different world and to grow.
Work with us
Volunteers
We can use help all year round for our events, studios, and workshops with schools. However, the collections from the various houses, such as the stone items in St Bavo’s Abbey or the interiors of the City Palaces in Veldstraat, also require the necessary care.
Who's who
The team of Historical Houses has more than 40 colleagues and numerous volunteers. We list them all on this page.
