Industriemuseum Menden

About the museum

For centuries, Gut Rödinghausen in Menden's Lendringsen district was the seat of the Barons von Dücker, who served as chief stewards (Oberkellner) at the electoral court in Arnsberg and, with the Rödinghausen ironworks, were among the few noble families in the region engaged in business. In 1807 Caspar Ignaz von Dücker had the neoclassical manor house built and, behind it, between the Hönne and a moat, an English-style landscape park laid out. Annette von Droste-Hülshoff also stayed at the estate.

The town of Menden took over the listed complex on a hereditary lease in 2007 and had it comprehensively renovated. In 2019 the estate opened as a cultural and museum venue, and in September 2020 the finished permanent exhibition on Menden's industrial history followed on the upper floor of the manor house.

On around 220 square meters, the museum shows the development of one of Germany's oldest industrial regions, which was shaped above all by the non-ferrous metal industry, using local products. Custom-designed exhibition architecture, media, audio, and hands-on stations, and a gallery of talking portraits of eyewitnesses bring the history to life. Changing exhibitions on art and cultural history take place on the first floor and the mezzanine, and readings, concerts, and weddings in the Kaminsaal (fireplace hall).

Highlights

• 300 years of Menden's industrial history
• Media, audio, and hands-on stations
• Gallery of talking eyewitness portraits
• Neoclassical manor house from 1807 with English park
• Free audio guide, also for children
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Mendener Industriegeschichte – Permanent exhibition on the upper floor of the manor house about three centuries of industry in Menden and the surrounding area, told through regional products, with media and hands-on stations.

Operated by

Stadt Menden

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to all of Menden's municipal museums, including special exhibitions; the audio guides are free as well.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All rooms are accessible without barriers: exterior elevator with Euro key and automatic door at the side entrance, plus an elevator and an intermediate lift inside; staff will help with their use. Two paved accessible parking spaces in the estate courtyard (5 and 40 m from the accessible entrance). Accessible restroom on the first floor. Braille signs in the door reveals, listening and touch stations. Assistance animals welcome (please notify staff). Accessible tours can be booked.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Free children's audio guide (about 45 minutes) for ages 7 to 11: with a treasure map, children search for the hidden listening stations of the museum bug Rufus. Coloring pages to download, media and hands-on stations in the exhibition.

Getting there & parking

By car via the B 515, exit Lendringsen (L 537), then onto the street Fischkuhle.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Cafeteria in the manor house.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The Kaminsaal can be rented for civil wedding ceremonies.

Plan your visit