LWL-Museum Textilwerk

Current exhibitions

About the museum

In 1984, the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (Westphalia-Lippe regional authority) decided to set up a site of its industrial museum in Bocholt, the textile center of the western Münsterland. Because no suitable historic building was available, a replica of a typical weaving mill from around 1900 was built on the Aa river. It opened in 1989 and still has working looms today.

The Herding spinning mill traces its origins to a hand-weaving business founded in 1870; the four-story brick building was erected in 1907. With almost 600 looms and more than 23,000 spindles, the company was one of the city's major textile firms until production ended in 1973 and the building was used as a warehouse. In 2004, the LWL acquired the building and converted it into a museum and event venue to plans by the Stuttgart firm Atelier Brückner; the spinning mill opened in September 2011.

Since then, the two sites have operated together as the Textilwerk. The exhibitions combine the history of technology with everyday working life in the textile industry and current topics around clothing and consumption; regular machine demonstrations bring production to life. The former spinning halls can also be used for conferences and events.

Highlights

• Working historic looms in the reconstructed weaving mill
• Herding spinning mill from 1907 with machine demonstrations
• Café-bistro "SkyLounge" on the roof of the spinning mill
• Changing special exhibitions on fashion, consumption, and the textile industry
• Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All)

Permanent exhibitions

• Weberei – Replica of a typical weaving mill from around 1900 with working historic looms and demonstrations.
• Spinnerei – Exhibition in the 1907 Herding spinning mill building on spinning technology and textile production.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on selected free-entry days of the LWL museums.

Free admission with the LWL-MuseumsCard, LVR-Museumskarte, German Museums Association (Deutscher Museumsbund) ID, or ICOM card. Public guided tours and demonstrations included in admission.

Accessibility

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

Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All). Two accessible parking spaces each at the weaving mill and the spinning mill; the spinning mill is reached via a ramp (12%) and an exterior elevator serves all floors. Accessible restrooms in the weaving mill foyer and in the basement and third floor of the spinning mill; induction loop in the Drosselsaal. Adapted tours with at least four weeks' notice; LWL-wide public tours with German Sign Language (DGS) interpretation; website texts in Easy German (Leichte Sprache) and DGS.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

FamilyLab in the weaving mill, media stations, and an app in which children make decisions as textile entrepreneurs. Inclusive playground with textile-look equipment. Holiday activities, family action days, and children's birthday parties; children's menu at the restaurant "Schiffchen". Free admission up to age 17.

Getting there & parking

Walking time and distance from the train station apply to the weaving mill; the spinning mill is about 200 m (roughly 4 minutes) farther.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant "Schiffchen" at the weaving mill (Wed–Sun from 11:00, beer garden); café-bistro "SkyLounge" on the fourth floor of the spinning mill. Museum shops in both buildings (Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00) with fabrics and textiles. Dogs on a leash on the outdoor grounds; only assistance dogs in buildings.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 450 guests.

In the spinning mill: Drosselsaal 1 (approx. 600 m², 450 seats in rows), a smaller hall (approx. 250 m², up to 80 seats), and the SkyLounge (approx. 300 m², up to 180 seats; not for weddings or birthday parties). Civil wedding ceremonies in the engine house on the third Friday of each month (up to 100 guests), booked through the Bocholt registry office (Standesamt).

Plan your visit