Tichelwerk Rusthoven is a former brick and tile factory dating from 1804, located along the Damsterdiep canal near Eekwerderdraai, between Appingedam and Wirdum in the province of Groningen.

The factory was founded by Jan Hindrik Sissingh, who was then mayor of Loppersum and resident of the nearby Rusthoven manor.

Thanks to its location in the fertile sea clay region and its proximity to peat supplies via the Damsterdiep, it was an ideal site for brick production.

Seasonal workers from the Lippe region in Germany, known as “Lipkers,” worked there from April to October.

In 1924, the factory was modernized by Berend van der Veen, who built a ring kiln with 24 chambers and automated clay transport using narrow-gauge tracks and diesel locomotives.

Despite these improvements, the factory was closed in 1965 due to a lack of further investment and modernization.

Although there were plans to turn the site into a brick museum, they were never realized.
The factory fell into disrepair, and in 2013 the 30-meter-high chimney was demolished due to the risk of collapse.

The adjacent Rusthoven manor, built in 1686, is a listed national monument.
In the 19th century, it was inhabited by the owner of the brickworks, leading to it also being referred to as a “tichelborg” (brick manor).

The manor is privately owned and not open to the public.

Today, the remains of the tichelwerk are visible as ruins,