Erich-Mäder-Glasmuseum
Glass museum in Grünenplan on the art of glassmaking in the Hils – from medieval forest glassworks to the mirror glass industry.
About the museum
Grünenplan on the Hils has been shaped by glassmaking for centuries. Excavation finds prove the existence of forest glassworks in the region as early as the 11th century, and in 1744 Duke Carl I of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel had a princely mirror glassworks founded here, from which today's glass site emerged.
The museum goes back to Erich Mäder, the former director of Deutsche Spiegelglas AG. He suggested its founding and provided his private glass collection as its foundation. The exhibition is housed on the upper floor of the tourist information office at the park in Grünenplan.
It shows the development of glassmaking from its beginnings to the present. Restored finds from forest glassworks in the Hils from the High and Late Middle Ages and the early modern period stand alongside an extensive drinking glass collection, loans and presentations by local glass companies. In the Mirror Hall on the ground floor, four historic mirrors illustrate the roughly 400-year mirror tradition of the Hilsmulde; the room is also used for weddings.
The museum also includes the glassmaker's house on Kirchtalstraße, which shows the history of the Grünenplan glassworks since 1744 as well as the work and living conditions of the glassblowers. A reconstruction of a glass furnace stands outdoors.
Highlights
- Glass collection of Erich Mäder
- Finds from medieval forest glassworks in the Hils
- Mirror Hall with four historic mirrors
- Glassmaker's house with a reconstructed glass furnace
- "Wald + Glas" project days for schools
Permanent exhibitions
- Glasmacherkunst im Hils – Forest glass finds from the 11th to 17th centuries, Erich Mäder's collection and presentations by local glass manufacturers trace the glass history of the region.
- Spiegelsaal – Four historic mirrors represent the roughly four-hundred-year history of mirror production in the Hilsmulde.
- Glasmacherhaus – The development of the Grünenplan mirror glassworks from 1744, the daily work of the glassblowers and a replica glass furnace outdoors.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- 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 tourist information building can be reached without steps via a 3 m long ramp (6% slope); all visitor areas are accessible without steps or via elevator or ramp. Wheelchair-accessible restroom on the ground floor, one designated accessible parking space.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Post · 300 m
Bus line 62 or 63 to the Post stop, then about 300 m on foot.
By car
Parking available
Hiker's parking lot at the tourist information office, which also has an accessible parking space.
- Accessible parking
By car via Untere Hilsstraße or Alfelder Weg.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum is on the upper floor of the Grünenplan tourist information office.
Events & venue rental
- Weddings / ceremonies
The Mirror Hall on the ground floor is used as a wedding room.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours by arrangement via the Grünenplan tourist information office. Schools can book age-appropriate tours in the glass museum and the glassmaker's house as well as "Wald + Glas" project days. |
