Industriemuseum Küpfermühle

About the museum

Around 1600 the Danish King Christian IV had a water-powered hammer mill built on the Krusau. The water power of the small river and the proximity to the port of Flensburg made the site ideal. This grew into a copper and brass works that around 1800 was the largest industrial complex in the Duchy of Schleswig. It survived the change to Prussian-German administration after 1864 and both world wars, and was not shut down until 1962.

The foundation of the museum's collection was laid by the couple Gisela and Bodo Daetz, who from the 1960s collected everything connected with the factory and the village. In 1997 the two opened a private museum in the gatehouse, which moved to the Turmhaus in 2002. Their collection passed to the foundation of the municipality of Harrislee.

Since July 2014 the industrial history has been presented in three renovated halls: Hall 1 with reception, a historical tour and a lecture area, Hall 2 with the turbine house, two chimneys and access to the water wheel, and Hall 3 with a listed steam engine from 1933 and the reconstructed hammer mill. The site has been run since 2009 by a non-profit company, and the support association has existed since 1998. Outside, you can explore one of the oldest workers' settlements in Northern Europe.

Highlights

• Listed 700 hp steam engine from 1933
• Reconstructed hammer mill
• Turbine house with two chimneys and access to the water wheel
• Historic workers' settlement in the district
• 3D world on loan tablets

Permanent exhibition

• Industriegeschichte der Kupfermühle – A tour through the history of the copper and brass works, its technology and the village, with a steam engine, turbine house and reconstructed hammer mill.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft Industriemuseum Kupfermühle

Admission & discounts

School classes: €3 per pupil plus material costs and a €25 guided-tour fee per class.

Accessibility

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

The three museum halls are accessible by wheelchair or walker; access is step-free, there is an outdoor doorbell at the entrance, and a spacious accessible toilet is located near the entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Museum rally with five stations for school classes (Years 4–6, materials with solutions) and, since June 2024, a puzzle rally for Years 9–11; after the stations, visitors can make rubbings of copper coins or stamp tin tokens with their initials.

Getting there & parking

Satnav address: Messinghof 3, 24955 Harrislee (Kupfermühle district, north of Flensburg).

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Large cloakroom and modern restrooms. The café in the neighbouring Turmhaus is not part of the museum. Registered groups may, by arrangement, eat their own coffee and cake in the museum (for a fee).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 130 guests.

The lecture area (PC, large monitor, speakers, microphone) can be hired outside visiting hours for events, workshops, meetings and receptions; 130 chairs, with up to 60 people seated at 8 conference tables. Weddings in cooperation with the Harrislee registry office.

Plan your visit