The Gauselmann Collection at Schloss Benkhausen, with around 200 historic coin-operated machines – from vending machines to pinball and jukeboxes.
12. juli 2026 – 18. april 2027
Coin-operated machines in animal form – from chocolate vendors through music and strength-testing machines to an electric-shock machine – and what they reveal about the relationship between humans and animals and the inventive spirit of their time.
The collection of the Gauselmann business family began in 1985 with an American AMI B jukebox from 1948. More machines were acquired at auctions around the world, so that after just two years the holdings comprised more than 400 machines. In 1988 part of the collection was shown publicly for the first time in the exhibition “Wenn der Groschen fällt…” (When the Penny Drops…) at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.
In 1995 the “Museum Gauselmann” opened at the company headquarters in Espelkamp with almost 600 historic machines. From 1999 Armin Gauselmann was in charge of the collection. After the extensive holdings of a German machine manufacturer were added at the end of 2001, the museum received its current name; in 2007 around 650 machines from the collection of Parisian collector Jean-Claude Baudot followed.
Since October 2013 the museum has been housed at Schloss Benkhausen. Around 200 of the roughly 1,800 items in the collection are displayed there in seven sections – from vending and service machines through games of skill and chance, gambling machines, pin games and pinball to mechanical music machines and jukeboxes. The focus is on the period from the German Empire to the 1970s; machines from the company's own history play only a minor role. Most of the exhibits are in working order and are maintained by the museum's own workshop; selected machines are demonstrated on guided tours. The permanent exhibition is complemented by changing special exhibitions.
| Voksne | 5 € |
|---|---|
| Nedsat pris | 2 €School students, university students and people with severe disabilities (with valid ID) |
| Børn og unge | gratisgratis til og med 15 år · Children up to 15 free. |
| Pensionister | –No senior discount listed. |
| Personer med handicap | 2 €Reduced with a severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis). |
| Studerende og elever | 2 € |
| Grupper (fra 10 pers.) | 8 € pr. personGroups of 10 or more: guided tour including admission €8 per person (smaller groups pay at least €80). |
| Museum package with coffee (admission + guided tour, 10 people or more) | 18 € |
| Museum package with lunch (admission + guided tour, 10 people or more) | 20,50 € |
| Day package (admission + guided tour, 10 people or more) | 30,50 € |
Cash only, no card payment. Free admission with the museum pass of the Deutscher Museumsbund (German Museums Association). School classes from general education schools receive free admission and a free guided tour after registering.
The museum describes itself as accessible; no further details (elevator, restroom) are given. For groups from care facilities there are tours for people with dementia.
Velegnet til børn og familier
| Entré for børn | gratis til og med 15 år |
|---|
Interactive stations explain to children and adults how vending machines work; a free puzzle questionnaire guides families through the main and special exhibitions. Scavenger hunts for various age groups are available for school classes.
Parkering muligt
Car and bus parking next to the Schlossgarten, more car and accessible parking in front of the inner courtyard of Schloss Benkhausen.
Schlosscafé "Die Rentei" at Schloss Benkhausen (own opening hours); museum shop with books, kits and games; free Wi-Fi. Animals are not allowed in the museum.
Museet har ikke offentliggjort oplysninger om dette – spørg venligst museet direkte.
| Rundvisninger | ja · varighed ca. 60 min. |
|---|---|
| Audioguide | ja (DE, EN) |
| Tilbud til skoler | ja |
| Godt at vide | Individual visitors cannot operate the exhibits themselves; demonstrations take place on guided tours (approx. 60 minutes, in German or English, book via the inquiry form or tel. 05743 93182-22). Individuals can join an existing tour by arrangement (€8). There are also technology tours and tours for people with dementia. Free digital tour on your own smartphone (bring headphones), free audio guide in German/English in the special exhibition. |
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