Forster Museum für Textil- und Industriegeschichte Lausitz
Newly opened museum on the cloth and industrial history of Lusatia in a former cloth factory in Forst, with the locomotive "Schwarze Jule".
About the museum
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Forst was regarded as one of the most important cloth-making towns in Germany. A first municipal museum existed from 1932 but was lost, along with large parts of the collection, in the Second World War. After 1990 citizens founded a museum association, and in 1993 the city acquired the former Noack cloth factory on Sorauer Straße, whose main building dates from the 1890s.
In 1995 the Brandenburg Textile Museum opened there, showing historic textile machinery from the first half of the 20th century. At the beginning of 2021 the museum closed for a comprehensive renovation and redesign as part of a federal program for national urban development projects.
On November 22, 2025, the first areas opened under the new name, which includes industrial and urban history beyond textiles. The first area to be accessible is the locomotive hall with the city railway locomotive "Schwarze Jule", which returned to Forst in 2012 after decades in the Dresden Transport Museum. The large permanent exhibition of about 1,600 m² with a demonstration workshop is being built up step by step; the operator is the city of Forst (Lausitz).
Highlights
- Locomotive hall with the city railway locomotive "Schwarze Jule"
- Renovated factory building of the Noack cloth factory
- Historic textile machinery (currently visible through the courtyard windows)
- "Forster.lernen" creative programs during school holidays
Permanent exhibitions
- Lokhalle mit der „Schwarzen Jule“ – First completed exhibition area: the historic city railway locomotive and a media station tell the story of the Forst city railway and its importance for the cloth industry.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Stadt Forst (Lausitz)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Children and teenagers aged 13 to 18, school pupils, students, BAföG recipients, job seekers, recipients of basic income support or asylum seeker benefits, people with severe disabilities, volunteer service and military service participants, as well as birthday kids |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 12 · Ages 13 to 18 pay the reduced price |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2companion free |
| Students & apprentices | €2 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2 per personAlso school and youth groups (ages 13–18) €2 per person; tour guide, bus driver, and one chaperone per children's or youth group free |
| Families | €5Family ticket I: 1 adult with up to 2 children |
| Family ticket II (2 adults, up to 4 children) | €8 |
| Group tour for up to 19 people (flat rate, plus admission) | €20from 20 people €1 per person |
| Museum education program | €5per person incl. materials |
| Children's birthday party (up to 10 children, 2 hours) | €60incl. materials |
Reduced admission with proof.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €5 · Family ticket I: 1 adult with up to 2 children |
- Family tours & workshops
- Kids’ birthday parties
During school holidays, creative workshops "Forster.lernen" on textiles and crafts for elementary and middle school children (registration required); children's birthday parties can be booked.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & 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 |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours with a behind-the-scenes look on request by phone or in writing; the museum tour includes the museum courtyard, forecourt, and the locomotive hall. |
