Emslandmuseum Lingen

About the museum

The museum goes back to the collecting passion of Pastor Gerhard Tegeder (1875–1926), who gathered farmhouse antiques, church art, bird eggs and prehistoric finds. After his death the collection was auctioned; the Landkreis Lingen acquired it as the basis for a district museum, which opened in 1934 in the former gatekeeper's house on Burgstraße.

During the Second World War the holdings were evacuated, and in the fighting most of them were looted or smashed. Only in 1957 could the museum reopen in the former coachman's house of the Palais Danckelmann, a half-timbered building from the 18th century. A large farmhouse kitchen formed the center there; in the 1950s the collection of art dealer Carl Johannsen was added as the basis for church art.

After the formation of the Landkreis Emsland, the district, the town of Lingen and 19 local heritage associations founded the sponsoring association Emslandmuseum Lingen in 1988; since then the museum has had full-time management. In 1994 the former Landeszentralbank (state central bank) building was converted into an exhibition building; later an extension was added (opened 2021). Today the museum shows the history of the town and the southern Emsland from the Middle Ages to the Second World War and offers an extensive program of events and education.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the history of Lingen and the southern Emsland from the Middle Ages to the Second World War
• Models and plans of the Lingen fortress and medieval coin hoards
• Railway history and the Lingen railway repair works
• Throne treasure of the Lingen Kivelinge with royal chains from five centuries
• Coachman's house with historic living rooms and box bed
• Interactive exhibition on the wildlife of the Emsland

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung zur Stadt- und Landesgeschichte – The exhibition traces the history of Lingen and the southern Emsland from the Middle Ages to the Second World War, from the County of Lingen through the fortress to railway and contemporary history.
• Kutscherhaus – Wohnkultur im Emsland – In the half-timbered house of 1728, a bedroom, a Baroque room, a burgher’s parlor and a Biedermeier living room show how people used to live in the Emsland; the attic holds an interactive exhibition on local wildlife.

Founded

1934

Operated by

Emslandmuseum Lingen e. V.

Director

Dr. Christof Spannhoff

Admission & discounts

Admission is free with the Kulturticket of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

According to its own information, the museum is barrier-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Museum education programs for children, young people and school classes (including treasure hunts, puzzle rallies, flashlight tours, legend tours, and creative activities with historic tiles). Children's birthday parties for up to ten children by arrangement (price depends on program length; guests bring their own cake and drinks).

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the town center at the start of the pedestrian zone, next to the Amtsgericht (local court) and the Palais Danckelmann (Burgstraße 28 b).

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

No food service in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings take place in the historic coachman's house. The hall can be used for lectures and events by arrangement.

Plan your visit