Blankschmiede Neimke
Water-powered hammer forge from 1727 in Dassel with an agricultural museum and the original, preserved living quarters of the Neimke blacksmith family.
About the museum
The hammer forge on Teichplatz in Dassel was founded in 1727; from 1779 the Neimke family ran it for eight generations. A water wheel on the Spülig brook drove two heavy iron hammers, bellows, and grindstones. On the stones, spades, hoes, and plowshares were ground bright and sharp – hence the name Blankschmiede (bright forge).
The business was able to last so long thanks to demand from the region's agriculture and forestry; on the side, the family ran a small farm, from 1936 a feed mill, and at times cigar rolling. Until shortly before the death of the last master blacksmith, Heinrich Neimke, in 1985, it was still operated commercially.
To save the ensemble, which was threatened with decay, citizens of Dassel founded a friends' association in 1988. Over several years of work, the buildings, equipment, and water management were restored; the museum opened in 1993. Besides the forge, visitors can see an agricultural museum in the attic and the family's living quarters with a farmhand's room and a stable.
Highlights
- Functioning water-powered hammer forge
- Blacksmithing demonstrations and tours on water and mill technology
- Agricultural museum with about 350 exhibits
- Original, preserved living quarters of the Neimke family
- Cooper's workshop and equipment for home butchering
Permanent exhibitions
- Blankschmiede – Water wheel, transmission, forge hammers, and grinding equipment of an early industrial hammer forge.
- Landwirtschaftsmuseum – About 350 tools for farming, butter making, and home butchering as well as a furnished cooper's workshop in the attic.
- Historischer Wohnbereich – Stairwell, living room, kitchen, and bedroom of the Neimke family with furniture from around 1920.
- Founded
- 1993
- Operated by
- Förderverein Baudenkmal Blankschmiede Neimke e.V.
- Director
- Petra Kersten
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission; donations for the upkeep and expansion of the collection are requested.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhofstraße, Dassel
Nearest train station is Einbeck-Salzderhelden, from there local transport to the stop Bahnhofstraße in Dassel.
GPS address: Teichplatz 2, 37586 Dassel; directly next to the Museum Grafschaft Dassel.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Tours on the open Sundays from 15:00 to 17:00, as well as blacksmithing demonstrations. Outside opening hours, tours by arrangement with at least 14 days' notice (Petra Kersten, tel. 01520 5665875). The bedroom of the historic living quarters may not be entered for conservation reasons. |
