Industrimuseet

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1977 by a circle of manufacturers, trade unionists, and academics who felt that industrial history was neglected in the existing museums. Its first home was Horsens' first power plant, built in 1906. In 1984, the museum received state recognition.

In 1994, furnished workers' apartments were added, showing the daily life of industrial workers. In 1998, the museum took over the surviving buildings of the old Horsens gasworks, gaining a lot of space, including for special exhibitions. In 2019 and 2020, significant parts of the exhibitions from the Brede Værk industrial museum were integrated, and in 2021 the outdoor areas were redesigned and a playground made of industrial-history elements was opened.

Today, the museum, under the name Industrimuseet, tells the story of Danish industrialization – from large engines and machines through workshops to the working and living conditions of the people who worked in the factories. Many stations invite visitors to try things out, such as an assembly line or a director's office.

Highlights

• Machine hall with large historic engines
• Hands-on exhibition "Kom med på arbejde" with an assembly line and director's office
• Furnished workers' apartments, shopping street, and classrooms
• Playground with a seven-meter-high slide made from a gas tank
• First power plant (1906) and old gasworks of Horsens

Permanent exhibitions

• Mægtige maskiner – Large historic engines in the machine hall, complemented by workshops, a moped workshop, and the section on modern Denmark.
• Kom med på arbejde – Hands-on exhibition about work in industry with an assembly line, director's office, textile factory, bank, and the history of packaging.
• Livet uden for fabrikken – Workers' apartments, a shopping street with craft shops, and classrooms from the 1930s to the 1980s show everyday life beyond the factory.

Founded

1977

Director

David H. Olsen

Admission & discounts

School classes from primary school, secondary school, and vocational school, as well as courses at VUC and similar institutions, have free admission (registration recommended).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

About 60% of the museum is wheelchair-accessible; the workers' apartments are not. Accessible restroom available. Assistance dogs allowed by arrangement with the ticket desk; other dogs only on a leash and not in the exhibitions.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Children up to age 17 have free admission. In the exhibition "Kom med på arbejde", families can work as a team on the assembly line, make decisions in the director's office, or design packaging. Large playground with climbing equipment and a seven-meter-high slide made from a gas tank; baby changing area available.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Café next to the playground, daily 10:00–16:00, with coffee, ice cream, snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Museum shop at the ticket desk with a large selection of books, nostalgia items, and toys. Picnic rooms and outdoor areas for food you bring yourself.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 200 guests.

Machine hall for larger events, also outside opening hours (up to 120 people for dinner, 200 standing); lecture hall during opening hours (80 people in rows of chairs, 40–50 at tables). Catering through external partners.

Plan your visit