At the eastern tip of the province of Zuid-Holland, on the river Linge, is the little town of Leerdam, the chief place in the Vijfherenlanden river country between the Rhine and the Waal. In the Middle Ages it was a place of some consequence, the residence of the Counts of Leerdam. It preserves remains of its town walls, including three tower houses on the old ramparts. In addition to its woodworking industry it has been known since the 18th century as a glass-making town. Its particular fame, however, rests on Leerdam cheese, which originally was produced only in the town.
At Lingedijk 28 is the National Glass Museum, with a collection of glass from Roman times onwards. Many of the exhibits - which include some unique specimens - were made in Leerdam. Of particular interest are items designed by the well known architects De Bazel, Berlage and Frank Lloyd Wright.
By previous arrangement a conducted tour of the museum can be combined with a visit to the glass factory.
The Hofje van Aerden is a group of almshouses built by Mevrouw van Aerden in 1770 on the site of a castle belonging to the Van Arkel family. Here women who had fallen into poverty were accommodated in large houses set round a beautiful courtyard. In a tall building with a domed roof opposite the main entrance is the Regents' Room, with old furniture and a number of paintings by Frans Hals, Gerard Terborch and Jacob van Ruisdael.
In the same building are the Council Chamber and Marriage Room of Leerdam.
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