Laakdalse Werkgroep voor Geschiedenis en Heemkunde

The Laakdalse Werkgroep voor Geschiedenis en Heemkunde (LWGH) is a Belgian local history and heritage organization based in Laakdal, in the province of Antwerp. According to its official website, its mission is to preserve the written, spoken and photographic heritage of the municipality of Laakdal and its legal predecessors — Eindhout, Varendonk, Veerle and Vorst — with the exception of materials that belong to the public domain. The group maintains a library and an archive, publishes historical works, and organizes activities such as lectures, guided walks and exhibitions. It also runs a website that serves both to publicize its activities and as a communication channel with the general public, where its latest news is posted. Beyond preservation, the LWGH aims to raise awareness among the residents of Laakdal about the historical and genealogical value of old photographs, letters, death notices, stories and books. The organization accepts valuable items through donations or deposits and welcomes interested parties. It relies on a team of expert volunteers who are also familiar with relevant legislation, including copyright and privacy law. The group is open to the public on the first Saturday of each month from 8:30 to 12:00 at Markt 29 (the former town hall) in 2430 Vorst-Laakdal, and can be contacted by email at info@lwgh-laakdal.be. It also maintains a presence on Facebook. As a small, volunteer-driven heritage organization, the LWGH does not operate as a commercial company; it functions as a cultural and historical association. Its activities are centered on the local community of Laakdal and its five constituent villages. The website lists recent posts on topics such as 'De Suisse in Belgie en Veerle', a historical walk in Varendonk, a study afternoon on local historiography and the imagination of Flanders, an oldtimer meeting in 2026, and an exhibition on 'Walenmannen' in Veerle and Herselt. These examples illustrate the group's broad engagement with regional history, migration, and material culture.

The Laakdalse Werkgroep voor Geschiedenis en Heemkunde (LWGH) is a local history and heritage organization active in Laakdal, Belgium. Its origins are tied to the merger of the municipalities of Eindhout, Varendonk, Veerle and Vorst into the new municipality of Laakdal, which took effect in 1977. The group was established to document and preserve the history of these communities and their shared heritage. While the exact founding date is not provided in the available sources, the organization has been operating for decades as a volunteer-driven initiative. The LWGH focuses on collecting and safeguarding the written, spoken and photographic heritage of Laakdal and its predecessor municipalities. It maintains a library and an archive, and it publishes historical works. Over the years, it has organized numerous public activities, including lectures, guided historical walks, exhibitions and study afternoons. These events often highlight specific aspects of local history, such as migration, daily life, and regional identity. The organization is housed in the former town hall at Markt 29 in Vorst-Laakdal, where it is open to the public on the first Saturday of each month. It also operates a website that serves as a communication channel, publishing news and information about its activities. The LWGH accepts donations and deposits of historical materials and encourages residents to recognize the value of their old photographs, letters, death notices, stories and books. Its team of volunteers includes experts who are knowledgeable about copyright and privacy legislation. As a non-commercial heritage group, the LWGH does not have a formal corporate structure or ownership. It is a member of the local cultural landscape and collaborates with other historical and genealogical organizations in the region. Its work contributes to the preservation of the cultural memory of Laakdal and its five villages.

• Municipal merger creates Laakdal from Eindhout, Varendonk, Veerle and Vorst

• LWGH active in preserving local heritage and publishing historical works

A volunteer-based local heritage organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Laakdal and its predecessor villages.

• Historical publications

  Books and articles on local history

• Library and archive

  Collection of written, spoken and photographic heritage

1. 1LWGH – Bewaren om te begrijpenlwgh-laakdal.be
2. 2Wikidata item Q51312398wikidata.org