Handwerksmuseum Ovelgönne

About the museum

The museum originated in 1978 as a local history collection on crafts and trade in the house at Breite Straße 27, a two-story brick gabled house that an attorney had built in 1773 as a stately residence. On May 17, 1981, at the suggestion of the then municipal director, the collection opened to the public as the "Norddeutsches Handwerkermuseum" (North German Craftsmen's Museum).

On the recommendation of a museum concept by the Wesermarsch district, the house was called Handwerkermuseum Ovelgönne from 1991. In 1997 the Heimat- und Kulturverein Ovelgönne (local history and culture association) took over operation from the municipality; after a renovation, it has operated as Handwerksmuseum Ovelgönne since 2002. Later the listed main building was renovated and extended with an annex containing a working forge and workshop rooms for groups.

The collection comprises over 11,500 objects. On around 520 square meters in the house, outbuildings, and museum garden, a tour leads through furnished workshops and shops – from pharmacy, barber, and grocery store through wheelwright's shop, bakery, and butcher's shop to watchmaker's and photography – as well as through topics of local history such as the medieval castle. The museum is run entirely by volunteers, cooperates with the University of Oldenburg, and is also an official wedding venue.

Highlights

• Fully functional historic forge
• Furnished castle pharmacy with original storage jars
• Barber and hairdresser salon as well as grocery store
• Museum garden with historic large equipment and castle model
• Listed townhouse from 1773
• Free discovery booklets for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung „Geschichte erleben“ – A tour across several buildings leads in chapters through trade and health, crafts and construction, food and household, and culture and local history – with furnished workshops, shops, and large equipment in the museum garden.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Heimat- und Kulturverein Ovelgönne e.V.

Director

Arman Džaferagić

Visitors per year

approx. 3,150 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Free admission for members of the sponsoring association as well as of the Museumsverband Niedersachsen und Bremen and ICOM. Cash only.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The first floor and annex are wheelchair-accessible, the historic second floor only via a staircase (no elevator). Wheelchair-accessible restroom available. Tactile exhibits and exhibition texts in plain language. Dogs are not allowed in the exhibition rooms, but are permitted on a leash on the outdoor grounds.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Free discovery booklets and puzzle sheets for children at the ticket desk; some original tools and devices may be touched and tried out. On event days, work takes place in the forge; also holiday activities and family programs on Sundays.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A29 (exit Brake or Nordenham) or the B212; approx. 25 km from Oldenburg, approx. 50 km from Bremen.

Amenities & dining

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

Small museum shop with regional products at the entrance; large bags can be left at the reception. Restaurants in the center of Ovelgönne.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Official wedding venue with two ceremony rooms: Sängerzimmer on the second floor (stairs only, for small parties) and the ground-level Alte Schmiede (Old Forge); sparkling wine reception in the museum garden, and in summer also short outdoor ceremonies. Register the marriage through the Standesamt Ovelgönne (registry office).

Plan your visit