The Museum Park's origins

The Museum Park Wings of Liberation originated from a temporary exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of Operation Market Garden in 1984. It was staged in the Dutch town of Veghel and was such a success that its creator Mr. Jan Driessen (1921 - 2010) decided to change its temporary character to permanent and build a museum around this theme under his leadership.

When the original location was no longer capable of housing the continuous expansion driven by Jan Driessen's unrelenting drive and enthousiasm, the search for a more suitable location began. In 1996, the Dutch Defense Department made an offer that could not be refused: a former mobilisation compound became available at the current address in Best and relocation activities started in the same year.

On Wednesday 17 September 1997, the new museum opened its doors to the public in the presence of His Royal Highness, Prince Bernard of The Netherlands, Prince Consort to the late Queen Juliana.

In 2007 Jan decided the time had come to hand over the museum and its mission statement to a new owner. Honouring his lifelong efforts to keep the history of the Liberation alive, the first hall of the museum was named after him. Building on Jan's work, a revitalisation process has continued ever since. As with every museum, it has a story to tell and we feel that can best be achieved by linking the past to present times, renovating and modernizing as required. By definition this will be a permanent process; you can see the results of our efforts from nowonwards.