The history of the Memorial Museum Passchendaele starts in 1987. For the first time in history there was an exhibition about the Third Battle in Ypres, this exhibition consisted of never shown visual materials from the Imperial War Museum. It was a very big success, with 9000 visitors and a big ceremony on Tyne Cot Cemetery and battlefield tours. Because of this big success it was decided to put the château at the museum's disposal, with attention fixed on the war years but also the Zonnebeke Augustinian Abbey and local history. The museum opened in 1989. In 2002 it was decided to renew the museum. The museum gets 3 storeys and becomes a classic historical museum and a reconstructed dug-out is built. The renewed museum opened on Anzac Day 2004. In 2007, during the commemoration of 90 years of the 'Third Battle of Ypres', the MMP1917 organised six thematic exhibitions who took place on different locations. There are also three trails created. In 2013 the restoration of the former vicarage is completed to be used as 'Kenniscentrum'.
The main theme of the museum is the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele. This was a major battle in 1917 during the First World War which was fought out by the British, Anzac and Canadian troops and the German army. The total loss of human lives is about 450 000, for only 8 km gain of ground. With this battle the main goal was reached to eliminate an important part of the German Army.
Location
The historic château of Zonnebeke is the ideal departure area for an expedition around the battlefields of 1917. It is within less than 3 km from Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Cemetery, the biggest cemetery of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Next to the reception desk of the museum you can find the visitors' lounge with information on Zonnebeke.
The track
The track of the museum is about 600 meters and is situated in the château grounds of Zonnebeke. There are 5 categories, every part of the museum treats a different category. Everything is stored in the museum and there's also a garden in open air. In this museum there's a true imitation of the dugout and the trenches are also part of the museum.
The collection
The collection from the MMP1917 is rather dynamic. The head collection consists of militaria and many personal objects and documents. - The old collection
In April 2014 the new knowledge centre Passchendaele opened. In the former vicarage of Zonnebeke there are documentary collections of the MMP1917 and the Zonnebeekse Heemvrienden. Next to the maintenance and the supervision of the documentary collection there is also scientific research done. Downstairs in the building is a reading room, for about 20 researchers.
Projects and events
The museum has an extensive calendar full of events and activities linked to World War I in the neighbourhood.
