Heimatmuseum Dykhus

About the museum

The local history museum is run on a volunteer basis by the Heimatverein der Insel Borkum (Borkum island local history association). Since 1958 it has been housed in the Dykhus ("dike house"), a listed East Frisian Gulf house from the early 19th century near the Old Lighthouse. The single-story brick building stands on a dwelling mound at the foot of the island's first dike and was a residence with a stable and farm section until it was converted.

Visitors enter the grounds through a gate made of two upright whale jawbones, which recall the time when many Borkum residents went to sea as whalers. The exhibition covers local history and the rise of the island as a seaside resort, the whaling era, seafaring and sea rescue, as well as the island's nature and environment. The largest exhibit is the roughly 15-meter-long skeleton of a sperm whale that stranded on the Schleswig-Holstein coast in 1998; skeletons of a minke whale and a pilot whale were added later.

Most of the collection is based on donations from the local population and from guests. Helmer Zühlke has directed the museum since 1983. Weekly guided tours and changing special exhibitions round out the offering.

Highlights

• Roughly 15-meter-long sperm whale skeleton as the largest exhibit
• Entrance gate made of whale jawbones recalling Borkum's whaling era
• Listed Gulf house from the early 19th century
• Skeletons of a minke whale and a pilot whale
• Themes of seafaring, sea rescue and the island's bathing history

Permanent exhibitions

• Borkumer Inselgeschichte – Exhibition on local history and the seaside resort, whaling, seafaring, sea rescue as well as the island's nature and environment, with whale skeletons as eye-catchers.

Operated by

Heimatverein der Insel Borkum e.V.

Director

Helmer Zühlke

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

For deaf guests, a sign language interpreter can be arranged for a museum visit or tour (contact via borkum-gebaerdensprache@gmx.net).

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area: not available

Guided tours for families, children and teenagers by arrangement. According to the museum, the regular tours are rather unsuitable for smaller children; there is no play corner or childcare due to lack of space.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located east of the Old Lighthouse. Please park bicycles at the museum entrance on Upholmstraße – parking bicycles is not permitted on Roelof-Gerritz-Meyer-Straße.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small museum shop with literature on Borkum's history, on site only.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit