Medizin- und Apothekenmuseum Rhede

About the museum

The idea for a medical museum in Rhede arose in the 1980s. After about eight years of collecting and renovation work, the Heimat- und Museumsverein (local history and museum association) opened the museum on July 2, 1993. The foundation was the furnishings of the old Rhede Hirsch-Apotheke, donated by the pharmacist family.

The museum is housed in a listed neo-Baroque townhouse that Gertrud and Bernhard Harde had built on the market square in 1923, now known as Villa Medica. The furnishing was financed with funds from the state, the European Community, the museum office, the Borken district, and the town.

After almost three decades, the exhibition was fundamentally renewed: from fall 2022 the museum remained closed, and on June 14, 2025 it reopened with a new design, digital media stations, elevators, and the additional theme of nutrition. A large part of the work was done by volunteers, with professional support from the hospital, doctors, pharmacists, midwives, and the University of Münster.

The tour across three floors tells the rural medical history of the 19th and 20th centuries, from the country doctor through pharmacy, drugstore, dentist, and midwife to nursing, hospital, and diagnostics. The fictional Rheesing family accompanies visitors through the rooms over four generations.

Highlights

• Original furnishings of the historic Rhede Hirsch-Apotheke
• Reconstructed dentist's office of the 19th and 20th centuries
• Media stations on the fictional Rheesing family over four generations
• New section on the history of nutrition from the 19th century to today
• Children's time journey "Die Suche nach der Wund-Wundersalbe" (The Search for the Wonder-Wonder Ointment)

Permanent exhibitions

• Medizinische Dauerausstellung – Tour across three floors through rural medical history with the country doctor, pharmacy, drugstore, dentist, midwife, nursing, and hospital; the fictional Rheesing family guides visitors through the building via media stations.
• Ernährung im Wandel der Zeit – A dedicated section showing how eating habits have changed from the 19th century to today.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Heimat- und Museumsverein Rhede e.V.

Director

André Grunden

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

Low-barrier entrance with elevator at Burgplatz; all exhibition areas are reachable by elevator.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

With a time machine and an activity booklet, elementary school children and families go in search of the "Wund-Wundersalbe" (Wonder-Wonder Ointment) (about 1 hour, included in admission, no registration, in German, English, and Dutch).

Getting there & parking

In the town center, diagonally across from the parish church of St. Gudula. Within Rhede, also by Bürgerbus (community bus) on weekdays (destination "Gudulakirche"). Wheelchair-accessible entrance at Burgplatz.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events: not available
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil wedding ceremonies in the villa's wedding room; booking via the registry office of the town of Rhede, limited number of guests. No other events.

Plan your visit