Industrie-Museum Ennepetal
Industrial museum in a former iron foundry in Ennepetal with a hands-on foundry, a smithy, historic machinery and cast exhibits.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum stands on the grounds of the former iron foundry F. W. Kruse KG on the Ennepe river in the Altenvoerde district. The three-storey brick building was erected in 1891 and 1896 by the wood screw factory Bödeker, Ebbinghaus & Co.; on each floor, 60 cast-iron columns support the ceilings and the sawtooth roof. From 1951 to 2005 the Kruse foundry used the site. The Schieferhaus (Slate House), a half-timbered house from the 18th century that was later clad in slate, was originally built as a residence by the operators of a nearby hammer mill. Both buildings have been listed monuments since 1984.
The Kruse company had already set up a small museum on its own history. Since 2002 the Förderkreis Industriekultur Ennepetal has run the museum, joined in 2010 by the Stiftung Industrie-Kultur Ennepetal, founded by the initiator Prof. Reinhard Döpp. The museum is largely run by volunteers.
On display are customer castings, machine parts, cast stove and fireplace plates as well as art and everyday objects, often comparing the raw casting with the finished product. A dedicated room brings together working models by Friedrich Wilhelm Schlottmann on charcoal burning, iron smelting, water power, hammer mills and foundries of the region. In the demonstration foundry and the smithy, the technology is brought to life on opening days.
Highlights
- Demonstration and hands-on foundry
- Collection of historic stoves and stove plates
- Working models of regional industrial history
- Steam engine models
- Factory building with 60 cast-iron columns per floor
Permanent exhibitions
- Guss- und Schmiedeerzeugnisse – Customer castings, machine parts, stove and fireplace plates from the former Kruse foundry, partly shown comparing the raw casting with the finished product.
- Modelle zur Industriegeschichte – Partly movable models by Friedrich Wilhelm Schlottmann on charcoal burning, iron smelting, water power, hammer mills and foundries of the region.
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Stiftung Industrie-Kultur Ennepetal / Förderkreis Industriekultur Ennepetal e. V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Hands-on casting for children | €4Contribution towards costs; the casting may be taken home |
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Admission is free; donations are welcome.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
On opening days, children shape their own pieces under guidance and may take them home after casting; small forged pieces are also possible. Children's birthday parties with casting by arrangement.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Loher Straße
RE 4 or RE 7 to Ennepetal (Gevelsberg) station; from Ennepetal bus station, line 572 to Loher Straße or line 511 to Klutert or Altenvoerde Mitte, then on foot.
By car via the A 1 (exit Wuppertal Nord or Gevelsberg), the A 43 (Kreuz Wuppertal Nord) or the A 45 (exit Hagen Süd or Lüdenscheid Nord) towards Schwelm/Gevelsberg, then on to Ennepetal.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Museum café in the Schieferhaus with coffee, tarts and cakes, as well as a grill stand on opening days.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 450 guests.
Event hall for up to 450 people with an industrial kitchen, a café with garden for up to 60 people, and outdoor grounds for markets and festivals.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours by telephone arrangement. Available as an out-of-school learning venue for school classes by prior appointment. On opening days, classic car and motorcycle meets take place on the grounds. |
