Historisches Museum der Stadt Bielefeld

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The collections go back to regional history holdings assembled in the 19th century by the Historischer Verein für die Grafschaft Ravensberg (historical society of the County of Ravensberg). Bielefeld only got its own museum of city history in 1994: in May of that year, the Historisches Museum opened in several buildings of the former Ravensberger Spinnerei. The mill began operating in 1857, was at times considered the largest flax-spinning mill on the continent, and, after years of controversy over its demolition, is now preserved as an industrial monument.

The permanent exhibition spans two levels of the historic sawtooth-roof hall and traces the city's history, from its founding by the Counts of Ravensberg in the 13th century and the rise of the linen trade to industrialization with spinning mills, linen and underwear factories, and the metal industry. City models, a worker's kitchen next to an upper-middle-class room, and products such as sewing machines, bicycles, and cash registers bring these changes to life; arms production, wartime bombing, and the structural change from the 1960s onward are also covered.

The largest object is a steam engine built in 1842, one of the oldest surviving in Germany. In 1995 the museum became the first in Europe to receive the Dibner Award for its presentation of power engines and steam engines. Since 2014 the permanent exhibition has been renewed section by section.

Each year two to three special exhibitions on city and regional history are added, and smaller presentations are shown in the FORUM. Together with the Museum Huelsmann, the museum forms the Museen im Ravensberger Park, and a combined ticket links both with the Naturkunde-Museum (natural history museum).

Highlights

• Steam engine from 1842, one of the oldest surviving in Germany
• 800 years of city history in the sawtooth-roof hall of the Ravensberger Spinnerei
• Bielefeld linen and industrial products such as sewing machines and bicycles
• A worker's kitchen and an upper-middle-class room side by side
• Free admission for children and teens under 18

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung zur Bielefelder Stadtgeschichte – A tour in 22 sections from the town's founding through the linen trade and industrialization to the 20th century, opening with the 1842 steam engine.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Stadt Bielefeld

Director

Dr. Constanze Döhrer

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free for seniors on the first Wednesday of the month and for university students every Wednesday.

Free admission also for holders of the Bielefeld-Pass, members of ICOM and the Deutscher Museumsbund, and members of the friends' associations of the municipal museums (free in their own museum, reduced in the other two).

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

All exhibition and event rooms are step-free, with an elevator to the gallery of the permanent exhibition, an automatic entrance door, marked step edges, and a partially lowered reception desk. Loaner wheelchair at the ticket desk. Three accessible parking spaces on Bleichstraße. Guided tours for blind and visually impaired visitors by arrangement and on fixed dates.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Activities for children of various age groups, accompanied and unaccompanied; children's club "Museumsfüchse" with free membership. Children's birthday parties for ages 3 to 18 with age-appropriate programs. Strollers and baby carriers are allowed in the exhibition; baby changing table in the women's restroom on the first floor, elevator to all levels.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

No café; hot beverage vending machine in the foyer, cold drinks and sweets at the ticket desk. Free attended coat check, lockers with a €1 deposit, free Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

Lecture hall (approx. 100 m², up to 80 people) for conferences, seminars, and talks, optionally with part of the foyer; technical equipment at extra cost, catering through Ravensberger Park Veranstaltungs GmbH.

Plan your visit