Gustav-Lübcke-Museum

About the museum

The collections trace back to the Hamm museum association, founded in 1886, which at first gathered evidence of the history of the city and region. As early as 1887 an Egyptian mummy was added, acquired by a mummy association founded for that purpose – the foundation of today's Egyptian collection of more than 1,000 objects. The mummy itself was lost in World War II.

In 1917 the bookbinder and collector Gustav Lübcke, a native of Hamm, and his wife, the Düsseldorf art dealer Therese Nüsser, donated their extensive collection of decorative arts to the city. In the same year the holdings passed into municipal ownership, Lübcke became the first full-time museum director, and the museum has borne his name ever since. After several moves, it received its own rooms in the newly built Stadthaus in 1927.

After 1945 the art collection grew above all, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s with works of Informel. In 1993 the new building on Neue Bahnhofstraße was inaugurated, designed by the Danish architects Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert, who also built the Louisiana Museum near Copenhagen. On more than 4,000 square meters, the museum today presents Egyptology, archaeology, city history, and fine and applied arts, complemented by special exhibitions in the skylight hall.

Highlights

• Largest collection of ancient Egyptian art in the Ruhr region, on around 500 square meters
• Archaeological finds from the region dating back to the Stone Age
• History of the city of Hamm since its founding in 1226
• Works of Westphalian Expressionism and German Informel
• Museum building by the Danish architects Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert (1993)

Permanent exhibitions

• Altes Ägypten – The largest collection of ancient Egyptian art in the Ruhr region, on around 500 square meters, with objects on everyday life, belief, and writing along the Nile.
• Archäologie – Finds from the region that tell of the lives of people from the Stone Age to historical times.
• Stadtgeschichte – Around 800 years of Hamm's history, from the founding of the city in 1226 through industrialization to the present day.

Founded

1890

Operated by

Stadt Hamm

Director

Thomas Schmäschke

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month (Hamm Museum Day for Families): free admission to the permanent exhibitions, reduced admission to the special exhibitions.

The base prices apply to the permanent exhibitions, including the Studio and S-Flügel. Public guided tours €3 per person (ages 6 and up) plus admission. Free admission with the RuhrKultur.Card, among others, and for members of the Museumsverein Hamm.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair-accessible entrance via a ramp at the main entrance, all exhibition rooms reachable by elevator, wheelchair-accessible restroom in the basement. Wheelchairs, strollers, and folding stools are available free of charge at the ticket desk. Usually once a month, free telephone tours of the special exhibitions ("Bei Anruf Kultur"). Directions from the train station for visually impaired visitors are available on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

On the first Sunday of the month, "Hammer Museumstag für Familien" (Hamm Museum Day for Families) with a family program and free admission to the permanent exhibitions. Children's birthday parties from age 5 (2 hours, €110), combinable with an offer at Café KunstWerke. Strollers can be borrowed free of charge; baby changing facilities in the basement.

Getting there & parking

A 2 exit Hamm via Werler Straße (B 63) or A 1 exit Hamm/Bergkamen via Dortmunder Straße (B 61) toward the main station. Bicycle parking in front of the museum, bike station at the main station; EV charging stations at Willy-Brandt-Platz.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café KunstWerke (Tue–Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–18:00). Museum shop accessible without an admission ticket. Artothek (art lending library) Wednesdays and Saturdays 13:00–16:00.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The forum, library, and foyer can be made available for events upon request; purely commercial events only with approval from the museum management. Use preferably until 17:00.

Plan your visit