About the visitor centre

HIPPO.WAR, the First World War visitor centre in Waregem, opened its doors on 11 November 2017. It is located on the second floor of the stand at Gaverbeek Hippodrome, Holstraat 95. Two permanent exhibitions cover 900 m²: one on the role of horses in WW1 and one on the importance of the Americans in the same war.

Discover stories from the Great War that are perhaps not so well known in photos, films and audio clips along with countless authentic artefacts, an interactive quiz and even a replica horse hospital.

Next to the permanent exhibitions there is also room for a temporary exhitbition.

Why HIPPO.WAR?

HIPPO = the ancient Greek word for 'horse'.

WAR = 'Waregem' and 'war'.

HORSES IN WORLD WAR I

The first wing of the visitor centre is dedicated to horses in the First World War. They played a crucial role between 1914 and 1918: in supply lines, pulling gun carriages, carrying mounted soldiers and much more. Of course there are many photos, films and audio clips, but you will also discover original bridles, a complete, authentic skeleton of a horse from WW1, a replica horse hospital and much more... To help young people get to grips with what they see, there is even an interactive quiz.

AMERICANS IN WORLD WAR I

The second wing of HIPPO.WAR focuses on Americans in WW1. On 6 April 1917, President Wilson declared war on Germany. Until the armistice on 11 November 1918, the American army played an important role in the liberation of Waregem and the surrounding region. Flanders Field American Cemetery has been a silent witness to this for many years. To find out more, discover photos, films and audio clips at HIPPO.WAR, along with a large collection of American uniforms, original items (such as letters) that we have received from the families of soldiers buried at Flanders Field, information about these courageous men and Charles Lindbergh’s original scarf... Finally, have a photograph taken of yourself as an American in WW1.

JEU D'ÉCOUTE: Woody

At six listening stations you will hear the story of the horse Woody and his owner Rikske, during the First World War. The story and music were specifically written for HIPPO.WAR. With the voices of Dimitri Leue, Joke Emmers and Hans Van Cauwenberghe. Read more.

TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

Just past the entrance of the visitor centre there is room for temporary exhibitions. In the past years you could visit, amongst others, these exhibitions: The Yanks Are Coming, The Secret Army, Animals in War Time, The making of the graphic novel 'War in Waregem'... Read more

Why this centre?

There are already many cemeteries, monuments, memorials and museums in Flanders, especially West Flanders, that have to do with the period from 1914 to 1918. After all, the Great War is an enduring milestone in recent world history. There are no longer any living witnesses, which is why it is important to preserve this piece of our heritage well. You can find out almost anything about World War One somewhere, but there are still aspects of the story that are less often told.