Red Star Line Museum

For millions of people from all over Europe the sheds of the Red Star Line on the Rijnkaai in Antwerp’s Eilandje neighbourhood were the start of a new life in the United States and Canada. The New World was the Promised Land for those seeking good fortune. More than two million emigrants sailed from Antwerp to America between 1873 and 1934. The new Red Star Line Museum, located in the shipping company’s old sheds, brings that almost forgotten history back to life via countless stories and lively testimonies from Red Star Line passengers.

You can be one of the first to visit the new museum on September 28 and 29. The museum will be open longer than usual on these two days. Reservations are not required but we recommend that you reserve a time slot. You can order tickets as of August 25 via www.redstarline.be.

De Loods will open together with the museum. De Loods is the name of the old baggage shed that now serves as the reception area for the Red Star Line Museum. During the museum’s opening hours you can visit De Loods for its attractive museum café, museum shop and the photography exhibition ‘Tranzyt Antwerpia’ by Herman Selleslags.

We conclude Saturday evening, September 28, with a proper tribute to the more than two million Red Star Line passengers and emigrants. In the bend of the Scheldt River, where the Red Star Line ships departed, we will launch a fireworks display with millions of red stars!

As if that is not enough, the entire Eilandje neighbourhood will be celebrating. Follow the Red Star Walk of Fame between the FelixPakhuis and the Red Star Line Museum on Saturday and Sunday and experience music, literature and gastronomy in a Red Star Line, New York and 'Pursuit of Happiness' setting. The festival square at the Red Star Line Museum will be transformed into a cosy place with a nice festival atmosphere. The entire festival programme is listed on www.eilandfestival.be.

Red Star Line Museum
Montevideostraat 3
2000 Antwerpen