Keramikmuseum Westerwald

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1976 by the Westerwaldkreis (Westerwald district). It was initially housed in the Schillerschule in Höhr-Grenzhausen and run by the Förderkreis Westerwald für Kunst und Keramik (friends' association). The core of the collection came from the holdings of the former Kreisheimatmuseum Montabaur and the town of Höhr-Grenzhausen, which grew steadily through purchases, donations, and loans.

After the district took over as operator, a dedicated new building was constructed on Lindenstraße to plans by the architect Scheubert: ground was broken in October 1980, and the museum opened in October 1982. Its four exhibition levels wind like the chambers of an ammonite around a common axis and lead visitors chronologically through the history of ceramics. An extension was added in 2007.

The museum broadened its view to international ceramics early on. It hosts the Westerwaldpreis, established in 1973 and open to entries from across Europe since 1999. Since August 2000 operations have been run by Museen im Westerwald GmbH, together with the Landschaftsmuseum in Hachenburg; the Westerwaldkreis remains the owner. The museum includes a restoration workshop for ceramics and glass as well as a workshop for courses and workshops.

The permanent exhibition ranges from the formation of the Westerwald clay deposits some 30 million years ago through salt-glazed stoneware of the Renaissance and Baroque, Historicism and Art Nouveau, to the colorful industrial ceramics of the postwar period and the free ceramic art of the present.

Highlights

• Gray-blue salt-glazed Westerwald stoneware from the Renaissance and Baroque
• Art Nouveau stoneware from the era of Henry van de Velde and Peter Behrens
• Spiral-shaped chronological tour across four exhibition levels
• Contemporary ceramic art, including by Beate Kuhn and Gertraud Möhwald
• Demonstrations at the historic foot-powered potter's wheel (for groups)

Permanent exhibitions

• Keramikgeschichte des Kannenbäckerlandes – Chronological tour across four levels – from the formation of Westerwald clay through stoneware of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Historicism to Art Nouveau and postwar industrial ceramics.
• Von der angewandten zur freien Kunst – Artistic ceramics of the 20th century and the present, such as vessel montages by Walter Popp, sculptures by Beate Kuhn, and busts by Gertraud Möhwald.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Museen im Westerwald GmbH (Westerwaldkreis)

Director

Dr. Nele van Wieringen

Admission & discounts

Free admission with ID also for unemployed people, holders of the Rhineland-Palatinate Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card), members of the Förderkreis as well as of the Museumsverband Rheinland-Pfalz and ICOM. On the first Tuesday of every month admission costs €1.

Accessibility

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

The entire building is accessible via gentle ramps and an elevator; wheelchair-accessible, family-friendly restroom in the foyer. The free media guide is also available in Easy Language and in sign language. Level parking directly at the entrance. Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children's birthday parties in the museum workshop (2.5 hrs., max. 10 children, €150 including materials and firing costs), e.g., with candy monsters or animal bowls made of clay. In the Kinder Keramik Club, 8- to 15-year-olds make pottery in course rounds of five sessions (€50). Children and young people up to 18 years have free admission.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum café "Café Creativ" with a view into the exhibition (for groups, breakfast and lunch buffets on advance order). Museum shop with ceramics by regional and international artists, jewelry, and books. Free lockers and coat check in the foyer – bags and backpacks are not allowed in the exhibition.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 199 guests.

Lecture hall with modern technology for up to 199 people in theater-style seating, e.g., for symposia and conferences; catering through Café Creativ. No rentals for party-political events.

Plan your visit