Arnold Vander Haeghen

Huis Arnold Vander Haeghen is a historic townhouse at Veldstraat 82 in Ghent, now serving as a museum dedicated to one family's story across nearly two centuries. The building was constructed in 1746 to a design by architect David 't Kindt, and it changed owners and purpose several times before becoming one of Ghent's more distinctive historic house museums.

Where does the house's name come from?

The residence was originally known as Hotel Clemmen, named after J. Clemmen, a Ghent textile manufacturer who acquired it in 1771. It remained in the Clemmen family until the death of son Pieter Clemmen. In 1841 the property passed to printer Desiré-Jean Vander Haeghen, opening an entirely new chapter for the house.

What happened in the house under the Vander Haeghen family?

Desiré-Jean Vander Haeghen set up a printing business inside the building, which produced, among other things, the local newspaper "Gazette van Gent." Three generations of the Vander Haeghen family lived and worked under the same roof, running the publishing operation until after the First World War. It was then that the youngest of the line, Arnold Vander Haeghen (1869–1942), chose to end the family's printing business, though he himself continued living in the house until his death.

Who was Arnold Vander Haeghen?

Arnold Vander Haeghen is remembered not only as heir to the family's printing works but also as an enthusiastic amateur photographer. He walked the streets of Ghent with his camera, documenting the everyday lives of the city's residents — making him something of a street photographer before the term itself existed.

How did the house become a museum?

In his will, Arnold stipulated that the building should become property of the City of Ghent after his widow's death. She died in 1951, and by 1953 the townhouse had opened its doors to the public as a museum, named in honor of its last owner, Arnold Vander Haeghen.

What can visitors see inside?

The interiors retain the bourgeois character of the era in which the house was built. Among the highlights is a reconstructed study and library belonging to Belgian Nobel Prize laureate Maurice Maeterlinck. The museum also displays cabinets dedicated to artists Charles Doudelet and Victor Stuyvaert, along with a distinctive Chinese salon and an elaborately decorated dining room that reflects the Vander Haeghen family's wealth.

Where exactly is the museum located?

Huis Arnold Vander Haeghen sits at Veldstraat 82, right in the heart of Ghent, close to the city's main tourist attractions, making it an easy stop while exploring the historic center.

Frequently asked questions

Was the house always a museum? No — for most of its history it was a private bourgeois residence and printing house headquarters, becoming a museum only in 1953.

Who designed the building? Architect David 't Kindt, in 1746.

Why did the name change from Hotel Clemmen to the Vander Haeghen house? Because it was the last owner from the Vander Haeghen family who bequeathed the building to the city, and the museum was named in his honor.