LWL-Museum für Archäologie und Kultur

About the museum

The museum's roots go back to the 19th century: in 1825, Ludwig von Vincke, the Oberpräsident (governor) of Westphalia, announced a museum of "patriotic antiquities" in Münster. From 1908, archaeological finds were shown in the Provinzialmuseum there, whose archaeology department became independent in 1934 as the Landesmuseum für Ur- und Frühgeschichte (state museum of prehistory and early history). In 1970 it moved into a new building on Rothenburg in Münster, and from 1980 it was called the Westfälisches Museum für Archäologie.

In 1991, the regional assembly of the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (Westphalia-Lippe regional authority) decided to relocate the museum to Herne in the Ruhr region. Following an international architectural competition, construction began in 1999 on Europaplatz in downtown Herne. The museum opened on March 28, 2003, with the first part of the permanent exhibition, a walk-through excavation landscape in the basement; the research lab followed in 2005.

In the permanent exhibition, visitors move along a walkway above a replica excavation and encounter finds ranging from the oldest stone tools to the rubble of World War II. Since 2013, the GrabungsCAMP, a covered excavation area for hands-on digs, has added to the offerings. Major special exhibitions such as "Stonehenge" (2021/22) and "Modern Times" (2023/24) brought the museum nationwide recognition.

By its 20th anniversary in 2023, the museum had counted around 1.5 million visits since opening. Since 2026, Melanie Wunsch has been director of the museum, which the LWL now runs under the name LWL-Museum für Archäologie und Kultur.

Highlights

• Walk-through excavation landscape covering 250,000 years of human history in Westphalia
• Research lab centered on a megalithic tomb from Warburg more than 5,000 years old
• GrabungsCAMP: dig for yourself with trowel and brush
• Holographic display cases and the augmented reality app "Geister der Vergangenheit"
• Free admission for children and teens up to age 17

Permanent exhibitions

• 250 000 Jahre Menschheit in Westfalen – A walkway through a replica excavation reveals finds from the Paleolithic to the 20th century. In the research lab, 14 stations show how archaeologists decipher a Neolithic collective grave from Warburg.
• GrabungsCAMP – A covered excavation area of around 200 square meters where visitors, under guidance, uncover replica finds layer by layer; accessible only as part of hands-on digs.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL)

Director

Melanie Wunsch

Admission & discounts

Free admission: International Museum Day and Heritage Day (Tag des offenen Denkmals)

10% discount when arriving by bus, train, or bicycle. With the LWL- or LVR-MuseumsCard, permanent and special exhibitions are free and the GrabungsCAMP is 50% off; with the RuhrTopCard, the permanent exhibition is free; Ehrenamtskarte NRW (volunteer card) 50% off.

Accessibility

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

The museum is fully accessible; the ticket desk and exhibitions on the lower level (level -2) can be reached by elevator. Accessible parking space with access via Schmiedestraße. Tactile tours with replicas for blind and visually impaired visitors, tours for deaf visitors, offerings in Easy German (Leichte Sprache); the GrabungsCAMP is reached via a ramp. Website with Easy German and German Sign Language (DGS) videos.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Many hands-on stations in the exhibitions. Family Sundays (every 1st Sunday, ages 5–14), family tours for ages 5 and up with objects to touch, holiday programs, hands-on digs at the GrabungsCAMP (ages 6 and up), and children's birthday parties (ages 5–14). Strollers are allowed in the exhibition, elevator available. Free admission up to age 17.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check

The museum bistro is closed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Lecture hall on the second floor (approx. 170 m²) with 118 seats in rows plus 32 in the gallery, projector, sound system, and Wi-Fi; catering only through external providers.

Plan your visit