Fehn- und Schiffahrtsmuseum

About the museum

The museum is run by the Heimatverein Overledingerland (local heritage association), which was founded in 1948 in Collinghorst. As early as 1950 the association set up a first exhibition in part of Villa Graepel on the Rajen in Westrhauderfehn. The Art Nouveau villa had been built in 1902 by the merchant Conrad Philipp Graepel; in 1936 it passed to the municipality and served as the town hall until 1978.

After the administration moved out, the museum was expanded and reopened with a new concept. Its collection focuses on three themes: the cultivation of the raised bogs by the fen colonies, the worldwide seafaring of the Fehntjer captains and sailors, and shipbuilding at the once seven shipyards in West and East Rhauderfehn. A multimedia guide, included in the admission price, accompanies visitors through the exhibition.

The grounds include a smithy built in 1896 and moved here in 1984, a rebuilt carriage house, and the tjalk (a traditional Dutch sailing barge) "Twee Gebroeders," built in the Netherlands in 1908, which the association acquired in 2016 and which lies in the canal in front of the building. In the tea room, the association regularly hosts the East Frisian tea ceremony. In 2026 the museum received the museum quality seal of the Lower Saxony museum association for the first time. For the future, the municipality is planning a general renovation with a new permanent exhibition under the title "Fehnwelten Ostfriesland."

Highlights

• Art Nouveau Villa Graepel from 1902
• Departments on fen culture, seafaring and shipbuilding
• Historic smithy on the museum grounds
• Museum ship, the tjalk "Twee Gebroeders" from 1908
• Multimedia guide included in admission
• East Frisian tea ceremony in the tea room

Permanent exhibitions

• Fehnkultur – Tools, models and peat to touch show how the fen settlers reclaimed the raised bog.
• Schifffahrt – The work and life of the Fehntjer sailors on all the world's oceans and the souvenirs from distant ports.
• Schiffbau – The tradition of the once seven shipyards in West and East Rhauderfehn and the related trades.

Founded

1948

Operated by

Heimatverein Overledingerland e.V.

Director

Marcus Neumann

Admission & discounts

The multimedia guide is included in the admission price.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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

The 1902 building is spread over three levels and is only partially accessible. Level entrance at the back from the parking lot via the back courtyard (doorbell); from there you can reach the cloakroom, accessible restroom, tea room and the fen culture department. Reception, shop, special exhibition, and the seafaring and shipbuilding departments are each half a flight of stairs higher and can be reached via a stair lift that does not carry wheelchairs or walking aids. The multimedia guide offers transcriptions and can be used with your own headphones.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Family tickets for one or two adults with children. In the fen department you can touch peat. After the tour, groups of children and teenagers can explore the smithy, where the museum blacksmith tests strength and stamina, and the tjalk.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 28 (exit Filsum) and B 72/B 438 or via the A 31 (exit Rhede) and B 70 to Rhauderfehn. The museum is located on the Deutsche Fehnroute cycling route.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Tea room with East Frisian "Teetied" (tea time) on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 14:30 to 17:00 (March to October); for groups of 12 or more, tea and cake by advance registration, closed in winter. The museum also houses the Rhauderfehn tourist information office.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil wedding ceremonies in the "Klönraum" (lounge) of the historic rear building, sparkling wine reception in the museum garden possible; additional museum cost €100, date via the Rhauderfehn registry office.

Plan your visit