Alte Bürgermeisterei und Stadtgeschichtshaus

About the museum

The house on Mittelstraße is first mentioned in 1584 and for centuries served as a residence, seat of the mayor, brewery and inn. In 1811, on Napoleon's orders, the Mairie with its registry office was set up here. In 1938 the city acquired the building, which was later used, among other things, as a residential home and apartment building; from 1975 the adult education center (Volkshochschule) and the city archive moved in.

Since 1980 the Alte Bürgermeisterei has been regarded as the city's “Gute Stube” (best parlor), with rooms for receptions, exhibitions and weddings. Since August 1995 it has also housed the Stadtgeschichtshaus (city history house), which is run on a voluntary basis by the citizens' and heritage association “Aule Mettmanner”.

Across three floors the museum shows more than a thousand years of city history: from the early historic long-distance road and the Carolingian royal court, with the first mention in 904, to the Nazi period and the present day. Further themes include geography and geology, the limestone quarrying in the Neandertal around 1856, during which the remains of the Neanderthal were found, and the everyday life of townspeople, which becomes vivid in furnished rooms such as a schoolroom, a bedroom, a living room and a kitchen.

Highlights

• City history of Mettmann across three floors
• Furnished historic rooms such as a schoolroom, living room and kitchen
• Limestone quarrying in the Neandertal and the find of the Neanderthal
• Historic house in the city center, first mentioned in 1584
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Stadtgeschichtshaus Mettmann – Permanent exhibition on Mettmann's history from early times to the present, with historically furnished rooms.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Bürger- und Heimatvereinigung „Aule Mettmanner“ (ehrenamtlich) in städtischem Gebäude

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor with the city history exhibition is accessible to wheelchair users; the upper floors are not, as there is no elevator.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

With registration (groups of 12 or more), the heritage association offers a Bergische Kaffeetafel (coffee and cake spread) for €12 per person, Mondays to Thursdays from about 14:30.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The Alte Bürgermeisterei serves as the city's “Gute Stube” for receptions, celebrations, exhibitions and civil weddings.

Plan your visit