The history of the paper mill Herisem and former cardboard factory (20th century)

Because of a lack of several production materials around Brussels, the First World War meant a serious U-turn in the expansion of the factory. After the crisis of the '30s and the beginning of the Second World War, the factory was closed.

Convinced that one day the company might be restarted, the owner took care of the machinery for many years. Several decades later and by cause of external factors, the factory began to ramshackle.

In 1974 the procedure for protection was started. This resulted in the 1979 statue that has put the industrial complex, together with her machinery on the list of protected monuments. The restoration of the mill and the factory started in the 1980’s with the foundation of the association "Friends of Herisem". Because of the size of the factory, the association chose for the reconstruction of several parts.

Nowadays, 80 percent of the industrial complex has been reconstructed. You may visit the museum about paper and cardboard history in Belgium and Brussels and several other activities to preserve this industrial heritage are organized.