Site Brick Kilns

Until a few years ago, between the Kuitegemstraat (Children's Farm) and the Scheldt dike, adjacent to the Scheldt dike, lay the highly endangered remains of an old farm complex.
As early as the 16th century, it was a brickyard in field ovens: 'the Brick Ovens'. In the 18th century, it evolved into a trading house. The farm became a bustling economic centre that in the course of time had the functions of a mooring place with ferry service, bleachery, inn and farm.
In 2004, the Royal Society for Nature and Urban Beauty started a fascinating and innovative project around this old farm, 'the Brick Kilns'. By means of training projects of VDAB Mechelen and through internal employment in collaboration with the OCMW of Sint-Amands and with the non-profit organisation Natuurwerk, 'de Steenovens' developed into a socio-economic project. On the basis of a well-documented archive, the farm is being rebuilt in order to turn it into a living centre of agricultural heritage through a social economy project. At the same time as the restoration and reconstruction of the farm, the old farm is coming back to life.
Endangered local crops were planted. Just like in the old days, bread is baked in the oven again. Courses are held such as pruning and grafting lessons, in our work we pay full attention to the former activities on the "court": farm, inn, bleachery, vegetable garden, etc.
This is done in collaboration between KVNS and the RMI, the non-profit organisation Natuurwerk, Natuurpunt and the Urania Public Observatory. This observatory also wants to set up an observatory there because this point is one of the last areas of darkness in our region. The site of 'de Steenovens' has a rich history.

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