Leder- und Gerbermuseum

About the museum

Mülheim an der Ruhr is considered a leather town: tanning has been carried on here since about 1650, and the oak forest along the Ruhr supplied the tanning agent. In 1924, more than 50 businesses processed leather; today only one factory remains.

The support and sponsoring association founded in 1988 wanted to set up a leather museum; after the exhibition “Mülheim – Stadt des Leders” at Schloss Broich in 2000, the idea took shape. With support from the NRW-Stiftung and the Landschaftsverband Rheinland, as well as private donors, the museum was established as an independent foundation.

On September 14, 2003, it opened in the former Abel leather factory on Düsseldorfer Straße. On about 350 square meters it shows tools, hides and types of leather, a film on leather production and contemporary witness accounts. Visitors may handle the materials and feel the differences, for example between elephant and cowhide. Adjoining rooms of the museum education department are used for workshops, children's birthdays and events.

Highlights

• History of Mülheim's leather industry
• Touching and feeling different types of leather
• Film “Von der Kuh zum Leder”
• Workshops and children's birthdays
• Museum shop with leather bags

Permanent exhibition

• Leder- und Gerbermuseum – Permanent exhibition on the history of Mülheim's leather industry and the development of leather production, with touch stations, a film and eyewitnesses.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Stiftung Leder- und Gerbermuseum Mülheim an der Ruhr

Admission & discounts

Coffee and cake can be pre-ordered after guided tours (€9 per person).

Accessibility

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

Barrier-free entrance, access from the parking area and barrier-free rooms; barrier-free toilet in the foyer.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's birthdays with a bag workshop (from age 8) or moccasins (from age 11); age-appropriate tours for daycare centers and school classes; a hands-on museum to touch and explore.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the grounds of the former Abel leather factory; access from the parking area.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with leather bags, chunky-knit bags and other leather goods; coffee and cake after guided tours by advance order.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 50 guests.

Museum education room for 40 to 50 people with stage, projector, screen and kitchen; rent €400 from 18:00 or €600 from 14:00, deposit €500.

Plan your visit