Kulturhistorisches Museum Haus Kemnade

Current exhibitions

About the museum

For centuries Haus Kemnade was the seat of the lords of the Stiepel domain; it appears in documents in 1410. The present manor house was built after a fire in 1589 over a long construction period lasting until 1704, and the chapel from the early 16th century is the oldest surviving part. Of the noble furnishings, magnificent fireplaces, painted ceilings and the staircase have survived, including the coat-of-arms fireplace of the von der Recke family in the great hall.

After the end of noble rule, the estate passed to the von Berswordt-Wallrabe family, and in 1921 the city of Bochum bought it. Although the castle lies on Hattingen territory, it remains Bochum property to this day and is run by the city's cultural office as a museum of cultural history; it was formerly a branch of the Museum Bochum.

The most important holding is the musical instrument collection of the cellist Hans Grumbt and his wife Hede, which came to the city in 1970 and, with almost 2,000 objects, is regarded as the largest of its kind in North Rhine-Westphalia; collections of clarinets and guitars complement it. Added to this are Kurt Ehrich's East Asian collection with Japanese netsuke, over 300 portrait miniatures from the collector Inge C. Rudowski, and the monetary history collection of the Sparkasse Bochum. This former "Schatzkammer Kemnade" (Kemnade treasury) was flooded in the 2021 floods and has been on view again on the first floor since January 2025. Several temporary exhibitions a year, concerts and the work of the support association bring the house to life.

Highlights

• Grumbt musical instrument collection – the largest in NRW
• "Klingender Schrank" (sounding cabinet) with instruments to try out during tours
• Japanese netsuke from the Ehrich East Asian collection
• Over 300 portrait miniatures from the Rudowski collection
• Monetary history collection with money boxes from several centuries
• Renaissance fireplaces and Baroque ceiling medallions of the moated castle

Permanent exhibitions

• Musikinstrumente der Welt – Sammlung Grumbt – A selection from almost 2,000 European and non-European instruments of folk and art music, collected by the Bochum cellist Hans Grumbt and his wife.
• Porträtminiaturen – Sammlung Inge C. Rudowski – Miniature portraits from the late 16th to the 20th century from several European countries, presented with changing thematic focuses.
• Ostasiatika-Sammlung Ehrich – Japanese netsuke made of wood and ivory as well as ritual objects, sculptures and jewellery from Buddhist-influenced Asia.

Operated by

Stadt Bochum – Kulturbüro und Kulturhistorische Museen

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission and public tours are free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• 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 exhibition rooms in the castle are not accessible; concerts and events on the ground floor are accessible without barriers. The neighbouring Bauernhausmuseum is accessible.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Instruments from the "Klingender Schrank" may be played during tours; at festivals such as the harvest festival there is a children's programme, for example puppet theatre in the castle.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A43, exit Witten-Herbede, then Wittener Straße and An der Kemnade; satnav: An der Kemnade 10, 45527 Hattingen.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Gastronomy in the moated castle.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit