Baumberger Sandsteinmuseum
Museum of the municipality of Havixbeck on the formation, quarrying and working of Baumberger sandstone in a listed farmstead, free admission.
About the museum
The fine-grained, calcareous Baumberger sandstone was formed about 70 to 80 million years ago in the Cretaceous period and has been quarried for centuries in the Baumberge hills west of Münster. Because it is easy to work, it characterizes numerous churches, sculptures and buildings in the Münsterland.
The municipality of Havixbeck opened a municipal museum devoted to this type of stone in 1994. It is located in the listed former Rabert farmstead on the edge of the village. On just under 500 square meters, the permanent exhibition shows tools, equipment, typical sandstone products and historic sculptures and explains how stonemasons have worked from the Middle Ages to today.
The exhibition is divided into the themes of formation and geology, craftsmanship and building culture. Temporary exhibitions take place on the upper floor, in the coach house and in the museum garden; a large frame saw from a former quarry stands in an open barn. From the museum, the Havixbecker Sandsteinweg (sandstone trail) with 18 stations leads through the village. The museum also offers quarry tours and sculpting courses.
Highlights
- Tools and working methods of stonemasons
- Historic sandstone sculptures
- Large frame saw from a former quarry
- Havixbecker Sandsteinweg (sandstone trail) with 18 stations
- Free admission
Permanent exhibitions
- Entstehung und Geologie des Baumberger Sandsteins – Explains how the calcareous sandstone was formed in the Cretaceous period and why it is so easy to work.
- Handwerk – Tools, equipment and working techniques of quarrymen, stonemasons and sculptors.
- Baukultur – Buildings and sculptures made of Baumberger sandstone and their importance for the Münsterland.
- Founded
- 1994
- Operated by
- Gemeinde Havixbeck
- Director
- Angela Heinemann
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Group tour flat rate €60; for 30 or more people the group is split, €60 per sub-group. |
|---|---|
| Public guided tour (1st Sunday of the month, February–December) | €5 |
| Family tour "Steinkunst für Kids" (adults) | €5Children free |
| Group tour (flat rate) | €60 |
Free admission, donations are welcome.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Largely accessible with elevator, ramps and accessible restroom. Tours for people with dementia and programs for people with learning difficulties.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Family tours "Steinkunst für Kids" on selected Sundays at 15:30 (children free) as well as a museum quiz for families and school classes.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop with souvenirs, small sandstone works and jewelry.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tour from February to December every first Sunday at 15:00 without registration. Group tours are tailored to the target group and booked by phone or email. Also quarry tours and sculpting courses. The audio guide is currently being revised. A virtual 360° tour is available online. |
