Stadt- und Geschichtsmuseum Lüdenscheid
Municipal museum on the urban and industrial history of Lüdenscheid; the permanent exhibition is currently being converted into the new show "Innovatia."
About the museum
For decades the museum was housed in a villa on Liebigstraße. In 1988 it moved to the Sauerfeld south of the city center: the former administrative building of the Amt Lüdenscheid and a neighboring villa were converted and connected by a glass link building. Together with the Städtische Galerie they have since formed the Museen der Stadt Lüdenscheid; the glass building houses a historic narrow-gauge railway train and the museum café.
In terms of content, the museum reflects the development of the city and region, especially the industrial history of the 19th and 20th centuries. Previous focuses were button manufacturing, which earned Lüdenscheid the nickname Knopfstadt (Button Town), metal and plastics processing, the lighting industry, fire brigade history and the airship idea of the entrepreneur Carl Berg. The administrative building also preserves a council chamber with Art Nouveau furnishings. Large temporary exhibitions, for example on Prussia in Westphalia or on the dream of flying, made the museum known regionally.
The permanent exhibition is currently being completely redesigned. Under the title "Innovatia," it is to show Lüdenscheid's history of innovation and business, told backward through time – with staged scenes, films and freshly restored sample books for buttons and buckles. Until it opens, temporary exhibitions, the digital exhibition "Mein Lüdenscheid" and the museum café remain accessible.
Highlights
- Historic narrow-gauge railway train in the glass link building
- Collection on Knopfstadt Lüdenscheid
- Art Nouveau council chamber in the old administrative building
- Digital exhibition "Mein Lüdenscheid" with around 400 postcards
- Restored sample books of Lüdenscheid companies (in future in "Innovatia")
Permanent exhibitions
- Mein Lüdenscheid – aus der Sammlung Schumacher – Digital presentation with around 400 historic postcards and postal documents, offering a personal view of 250 years of city history.
- Innovatia – New permanent exhibition on Lüdenscheid's history of innovation and business, scheduled to open in 2026; it tells the story backward through time.
- Operated by
- Stadt Lüdenscheid
- Director
- Dr. Eckhard Trox
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Two elevators and ramps connect the levels; a wheelchair-accessible restroom is located on the second floor. Tactile tours for blind and visually impaired people on request with sufficient notice.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Museum education programs for children as well as family quizzes and family events.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
- Café
Museum café in the glass link building: Wed–Sat 14:00–18:00, Sun 12:00–18:00.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
Clubs and organizations can rent rooms for events; ambiance weddings through the Lüdenscheid registry office.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours by arrangement, also outside opening hours; prices and dates by phone. Museum education programs for children, young people and adults cost €2 per person (minimum 15 participants). |
