ADFAS

Of the 10 mainland Europe NADFAS groups, ADFAS in Antwerp, Belgium is the only one that has a Heritage Volunteers group. The Volunteers are the pride and joy of our Society. They have a fabulous record in helping to restore Antwerp's cultural heritage.

What is a Heritage Volunteer?

• ADFAS members who are willing to find time to help preserve our heritage.

• People with commitment, discipline and enthusiasm.

• People who have the ability to work as part of a team.

• People who find the work stimulating and very rewarding.

Why not join? It is a learning experience of a lifetime!

No previous experience is necessary. Use our contact form if you would like more information.

Projects Undertaken by ADFAS Volunteers

Underneath is a full list of projects in which our volunteers have been proud to participate. On the left are details of some recent projects. 

• Archiving old postcards and photographs on glass at the Volkskunde Museum.
• Cleaning the negatives on glass of the city archive before its relocation (January 2005). See the link on the left.
• Silver reliquary ship of Amalfi by Jos Junes in Sint Andrieskerk (January 2004 – December 2004).
  See the link on the left.
• The puppets and props of the 'Poesje', Reserves of the Volkskunde Museum Antwerpen (April 2003 - December 2003). See the link on the left.
•  'Duwaerts Apotheek', Volkskunde Museum Antwerpen (October 2002 - March 2003). See the link on the left.
• Gilded wooden Heilig Sacramentsaltaar, Sint Paulus (January 2001 - July 2002)
  The cleaning and restoration of this 18th century altarpiece under the guidance of Conservator and Restorer Judith De Keyser.
• The Madonna of the Schoytestraat, Kruis en Beeld (February 2000 - October 2001)
  Restoration of this famous 17th century 'Street Madonna' under the guidance of Restorers An Tant and Seppe Roels.
• The Annamite House, Etnographisch Museum Antwerpen (February 2000 - September 2002)
  The cleaning of the many hundreds of individual sections of a 19th century model of a house from Annam (Vietnam) , under the guidance of Françoise Thierry, Head of textiles.
• Remounting Ukiyo-e, Etnografisch Museum Antwerpen (July 1999 - January 2000)
  The rebacking and remounting of a series of 19th century Japanese prints, under the guidance of Françoise Thierry, Head of textiles.
• 3,500 pointed weapons, Etnografisch Museum Antwerpen (1999 - mid 2000)
  The inventorying, cleaning and reshelving of the museum's Reserve collection of pointed weapons from Africa, Oceania, Asia and Indonesia, under the guidance of Mevr. Françoise Thierry, Head of Textiles.
• Polychrome and gilded wooden reliquary inset with glass and silver, Sint Paulus (January 1997 - 1999)
  The cleaning and restoration of an early 19th century reliquary of over 200 saints under the guidance of Conservator and Restorer Judith De Keyser.
• Silver candlesticks, Sint Pauluskerk (Easter - Autumn 1996)
  The cleaning and restoration of four massive silver candlesticks flanking the altar.
• Gilded wooden altarpiece, Sint Pauluskerk (January 1996 - Easter 1996)
  The cleaning and restoration of a substantial 18th century altarpiece under the guidance of Conservator and restorer Judith De Keyser.
• Madonna of peace and friendship, Sint Andrieskerk (September 1993 - May 1995)
  The cleaning and restoration of the Madonna's antique velvet cloak under the guidance of Prof. Patrick Storme of KASKA and Mevr. Freda Sorber, Curator of the Textielmuseum Vrieselhof.
• Shrine of the 36 Holy relics, Sint Andrieskerk (September 1992 - April 1993)
  The cleaning and restoration of this famous massive silver reliquary, under the guidance of Prof. Patrick Storme of KASKA