Kettenschmiedemuseum Sichtigvor
Reconstructed home chain forge in Warstein-Sichtigvor, where volunteers demonstrate hand-forging chains by arrangement.
About the museum
Chain forging came to the Möhne Valley around 1837 with the entrepreneur Victor Röper. After two unsuccessful operators, Gustav Großkurth and Louis Bangert made the chain factory a success from 1865. Because the factory smiths could not meet demand, numerous home forges arose in which families made chains with two to five forges alongside farming and forestry. Around 1900 some 200 chain smiths worked in the Möhne Valley in about 70 such home forges; with the end of the last chain factory around 1970, the craft disappeared.
In 1984 members of the Arbeitskreis für Heimatpflege im Kirchspiel Mülheim (local heritage working group) rebuilt a chain forge on the site of a former sawmill in Sichtigvor, as stood on many farms in the parish communities of Mülheim, Sichtigvor, and Waldhausen around 1900. In 2008 the building was expanded to accommodate visitor groups better.
At two forge fires, volunteer smiths show how a chain is made link by link from an iron bar using the forge, anvil, and hammer. The working group also operates the historic railway cars at the old Sichtigvor station.
Highlights
- Reconstruction of a home chain forge around 1900
- Blacksmithing demonstrations at two forges
- Hand-made chains with anvil and hammer
- Insight into the industrial history of the Möhne Valley
Permanent exhibitions
- Kettenschmiede Sichtigvor – Furnished home forge with two forges in which the making of hand-welded chains is demonstrated.
- Founded
- 1984
- Operated by
- Arbeitskreis für Heimatpflege im Kirchspiel Mülheim/Möhne e.V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Warstein-Sichtigvor, St.-Georg-Straße
Bus to the Warstein-Sichtigvor stop, St.-Georg-Straße
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits take place as a booked blacksmithing demonstration; booked dates can be viewed on the working group's website. |
